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As businesses move through Q4 and look ahead to 2026, many teams are asking the same question. Should we slow down or should we be gearing up for the year ahead? In this episode of B2B Inspired, Dale Kenny and Freyja Slavin unpack one of the most important topics in B2B marketing right now. How to use the December and January period to create strategic clarity, build momentum and set your marketing function up for a stronger financial year.

Dale and Freyja explore the misconceptions around the New Zealand summer slowdown, why customer insight matters more than ever during this period, and how teams can remove friction and add value when clients are feeling stretched. They discuss the role of AI inside marketing teams, the mindset shifts required for better planning, and what opportunities they believe will shape 2026. This is a candid, practical conversation designed to help marketers think ahead with confidence and operate with intention

For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nz

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How do you build meaningful B2B experiences in a world where technology is accelerating faster than ever? In this episode of B2B Inspired, we sit down with Nicola O’Rourke, a commercial leader and NZTE Beachhead Advisor with a career spanning some of the most recognisable food and beverage brands in New Zealand and abroad.

Nicola shares practical insights on the evolving expectations of B2B customers, why trust and empathy are becoming strategic differentiators, and how the lines between B2B and B2C are rapidly blurring. She unpacks the importance of human-centred design, authentic brand experiences, sales and marketing alignment, and the role of AI in reshaping how companies create value. Nicola also provides a behind-the-scenes look at the conversations taking place in boardrooms right now, and what New Zealand businesses must prepare for as they scale into 2026 and beyond.

For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nz

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeDoB2B

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How do you build a purpose-led brand that resonates deeply with your niche, and still scales internationally? In this episode of B2B Inspired, we speak with Hugh Thomas, Brand Manager at Kids Ride Shotgun, a New Zealand company raising the next generation of mountain bikers across the USA, Europe and Asia.

Hugh shares how clearly defining purpose has shaped every part of their brand playbook, from product roadmap decisions to choosing distributors, and how deep customer understanding led to their hit “Dirt Hero” campaign. As Brand Manager, Hugh wears many hats, and gives insights into brand building in international markets, the importance of getting out the office to understand stories, and building a career in an industry he loves.

For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nz

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeDoB2B

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What does marketing effectiveness really mean—and why does it matter? In the latest episode of B2B Inspired, we speak with Carolyn Schofield, Founder of Food Marketing NZ and Brand Science NZ, about what makes marketing work.

Carolyn challenges the obsession with short-term results and explains why the most powerful marketing happens over time. She shares how emotional storytelling builds brand equity, and why marketers need to be more strategic about what they measure.

From shifting internal perceptions of marketing to leading change with evidence, Carolyn offers clear, practical insights for marketers under pressure to prove value and drive growth.

For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nz

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Curious what it really takes to lead with impact? In this episode of B2B Inspired, we speak with Hayley Nelson, Head of Marketing at Craigs Investment Partners, about the link between leadership, culture, and influence.

Hayley reflects on how leadership is earned through consistent actions—not job titles—and why listening is a critical leadership skill. She shares how working with a leadership coach helped her embrace her style and gain confidence in her voice.

From building culture intentionally to modelling values under pressure, Hayley offers grounded insights for leaders at every level. We also discuss how credibility is built over time, the importance of psychological safety, and how to lead with authenticity in everyday moments.

For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nz

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When you subscribe to B2B Inspired, you're playing a key role in growing and supporting New Zealand's B2B Marketing Community.

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeDoB2B

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Wondering how to create real organisational alignment? In this episode of B2B Inspired, we talk with Clare Swallow, founder of Mulberry Street, about how culture, values, and leadership work together to unite your team and drive performance.

Clare shares how she helps ambitious companies surface authentic values, embed them in everyday decision-making, and connect them to purpose and vision. She explains why values should be lived, not laminated, and how to spot when they’re out of sync.

From tackling team scepticism to using storytelling as a tool for alignment, Clare offers practical ideas leaders can use to create a shared understanding across the organisation. We also explore the role of leadership behaviours in shaping culture and building trust.

Whether you’re leading a small team or an entire company, this episode will help you put values into action and align your people behind a common direction.

For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nz

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blueocean-agency/
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeDoB2B

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From humble beginnings to a global brand, BeeNZ is a family-owned business redefining what’s possible in New Zealand’s honey industry. In this episode of B2B Inspired, founders David and Julie Hayes share their journey of building BeeNZ from the ground up.

They talk about taking big risks, learning the export game, and balancing the pressures of running a business together. From navigating compliance and logistics to crafting a brand story that resonates internationally, their experience is packed with lessons for business owners ready to grow.

For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nz

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When you subscribe to B2B Inspired, you're playing a key role in growing and supporting New Zealand's B2B Marketing Community.

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeDoB2B

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Thinking about exporting? In this episode of B2B Inspired, we talk with Phillipa Cameron, General Manager – Customer at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), about what it really takes to grow your business beyond New Zealand.

Phillipa shares how NZTE works in partnership with Kiwi exporters to reduce risk, build capability, and unlock international opportunities. From deep market insights to on-the-ground support in over 40 countries, NZTE helps businesses tackle the complexity of export growth with the right tools, advice, and people.

We explore the importance of preparation, knowing your customer, and building a value proposition that works across markets. Whether you’re taking your first steps offshore or expanding into new territories, this episode offers practical guidance on how partnering with NZTE can set you up for global success.

For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nz

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When you subscribe to B2B Inspired, you're playing a key role in growing and supporting New Zealand's B2B Marketing Community.

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeDoB2B

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What does it take for a small family business from Katikati to become the world’s third-largest dart manufacturer? In this episode, Peter McCormick, Managing Director of Shot Darts, shares the pivotal moments behind their global rise. From a bold rebrand sparked by a legal battle with Puma AG to building a brand grounded in authentic storytelling and Kiwi grit, Peter reveals what it means to scale with purpose. Hear how persistence—like calling on one customer for seven years—paid off, and how embracing their heritage shaped products that resonate worldwide. Peter also shares how community leagues and cultural design turned darts into a global lifestyle. For business owners exploring international growth, brand strategy, or succession, this episode is packed with insights grounded in real B2B experience.

For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nz

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When you subscribe to B2B Inspired, you're playing a key role in growing and supporting New Zealand's B2B Marketing Community.

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeDoB2B

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Going from superyachts to SaaS isn’t your typical founder story—but that’s exactly what makes this episode stand out. In this episode of B2B Inspired, Dale Koerner is joined by Hadleigh Ford, founder of SwipedOn, to explore the unexpected journey behind one of New Zealand’s B2B tech success stories.

Hadleigh shares how a frustrating detail on a $100M yacht sparked the idea for SwipedOn, and how he built the product from scratch with no technical background. He unpacks the lessons learned through early failures, global growth, and two major acquisitions—while staying grounded in culture and customer simplicity. Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, this episode is full of honest insights on product-market fit, resilience, and thinking bigger than your starting niche.

For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nz

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When you subscribe to B2B Inspired, you're playing a key role in growing and supporting New Zealand's B2B Marketing Community.

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Connect with Us
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blueocean-agency/
Website: https://www.blueoceanagency.co.nz/podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeDoB2B

Let’s roll up our sleeves and take on tomorrow together.