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Getting caught in the strategic "messy middle" is a common struggle for Kiwi businesses – that uncomfortable space between having great ideas and actually realizing their value. Rob Erskine and Tony Rutherford, founders of Copper Fox consultancy, bring decades of commercial experience to this candid conversation about why so many business strategies ultimately collect dust.

The pair highlight several critical failures in strategic implementation: strategies that exist only in owners' heads, "drawer documents" created once every few years but never revisited, and the fundamental lack of execution planning – the missing "how" and "who" components that translate vision into action. With 97% of New Zealand businesses employing fewer than 20 people, many simply lack the bandwidth to simultaneously handle daily operations and strategic initiatives.

"Quite often strategies ask the question 'what do we want to do?' But sometimes the failing is 'how are we going to do that?'" Rob explains, pinpointing a key reason so many well-intentioned plans never materialize. Tony adds that relying solely on compliance-focused accountants rather than forward-looking commercial advisors further compounds the problem.

The conversation delves into the unique challenges facing New Zealand's business landscape – from our "batch, beamer, and boat" lifestyle mindset to the limitations of scale in a country of just 5 million people. For ambitious companies, looking beyond our shores becomes necessary, but brings additional complexities in navigating international markets and regulatory environments.

Perhaps most revealing is the discussion around risk management, with both consultants noting that while business owners intuitively understand their risks, they rarely formalize or systematically monitor them until crises emerge. This reactive approach leaves companies vulnerable, especially during economic downturns.

Ready to move your business strategy beyond the whiteboard? Rob and Tony's practical advice – building integrated teams with necessary expertise, assigning clear ownership of initiatives, and maintaining realistic resource planning – provides a roadmap for turning strategic vision into tangible business outcomes.

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The whiteboard mirage represents the grand illusion in business where brilliant strategies developed during off-site meetings evaporate once teams return to their desks. I explore the critical gap between strategy as a concept and strategy as an operational reality, providing actionable frameworks to ensure your strategic vision translates into Monday morning execution.

• Distinguishing between strategy (the thinking) and plans (the tick list of outputs)
• The 5D framework: Define, Discover, Design, Develop, Deliver
• Why skipping the "messy middle" stages causes strategy implementation to fail
• The three R's of strategy execution: Reality, Rhythm, Responsibility
• Case study of successful IoT implementation in manufacturing through proper strategic execution
• The reality test: Can you explain your strategy to a new hire in under two minutes?
• Treating strategy as a daily practice rather than a special occasion

Take your current strategy and run it through the reality test. If you can't explain it to a new hire in under two minutes, if team members don't know exactly what to do differently tomorrow, or if you can't measure progress next week (not next quarter), it's time to turn that whiteboard wisdom into workplace reality.

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What happens when you stop treating technology as a cost centre and start viewing it as a strategic enabler for your organisation? Anna Campbell, Chief Support Services Officer at Whakarongarau Aotearoa (New Zealand's telehealth services), provides compelling answers in this thought-provoking conversation about breaking down traditional silos.

Anna's unique portfolio encompasses technology, data, people, marketing, and Māori services development – creating a powerful integration point that puts service users at the heart of operations. Rather than maintaining artificial boundaries between departments, this structure focuses everyone on a shared mission: delivering essential 24-7 health and wellbeing support across New Zealand, helping one in four Kiwis access care when they need it most.

The conversation explores how organisations can shift from viewing technology initiatives as budget items to seeing them as strategic solutions for real pain points. "Keep your mission critical and strategically aligned," Anna advises, emphasising the importance of measuring impact and articulating value in terms that matter to the broader organisation.

Particularly valuable is Anna's insight into responsible AI implementation. Starting with clear ethical principles, Whakarongarau Aotearoa has developed governance frameworks that prioritise privacy, transparency, and data sovereignty. From internal efficiency tools to clinical note summarisation, their AI applications follow the guiding principle of "nothing about us without us" – ensuring that technology enhances rather than replaces human connections.

For leaders navigating technological transformation, Anna offers practical wisdom: understand both the capabilities and limitations of tools like generative AI; focus on reimagining work rather than merely automating existing processes; and remember that change management requires acknowledging what's not changing alongside what is. By meeting people where they're at and maintaining trust throughout the journey, organisations can harness technology to deliver truly human-centred services.

Ready to transform how your organisation approaches technology? Listen now for insights that bridge the gap between technical possibilities and meaningful organisational impact.

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What happens when two podcast hosts named Anthony—one Australian, one Kiwi—discover they both run shows called "Biz Bytes"? Magic, that's what. This special crossover episode dives deep into communication as the fundamental cornerstone of business success.

Drawing from Anthony Pearl's extensive background in broadcast journalism and talk radio, we explore why truly effective communication extends far beyond simply delivering a message. The conversation uncovers why the same announcement might be heard completely differently by various team members—one person hearing opportunity while another hears threat in the exact same words.

Through fascinating parallels between sports commentary, podcasting techniques, and business leadership, we unpack the critical elements that make communication stick. Why do radio commentators describe the action in such detail while TV presenters focus more on analysis? The answer reveals profound insights about how we must adapt our communication style to different mediums, audiences, and contexts.

The most compelling revelation? Stories transmit meaning far more effectively than facts alone. From ancient tales that have persisted for centuries to modern business narratives, storytelling creates connection and comprehension unlike any other communication tool. We explore how today's leaders can leverage this innate human tendency to process information through narrative.

Technology now offers unprecedented opportunities for real-time feedback and engagement. From simple QR codes to sophisticated polling platforms, today's communicators have powerful tools to gauge whether their messages are landing as intended—provided they're willing to listen to the responses.

If you're struggling to get your message across, feeling misunderstood by your team, or simply wanting to become a more effective communicator, this conversation offers practical insights you can implement immediately. Remember: if communication isn't listed as a core deliverable in every role in your organization, you may be overlooking the most fundamental skill for business success.

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Ever wonder what happens when a biotech innovator throws out the traditional organizational playbook? Moderna has made waves by merging their IT and HR departments into a unified "Digital People Organization" — a move that's both fascinating and potentially transformative.

This isn't just administrative reshuffling. It's a strategic response to AI becoming the connective tissue throughout Moderna's operations. From drug discovery to employee onboarding, artificial intelligence permeates their business, blurring traditional boundaries between technology and human capital management. Their extensive partnership with OpenAI has enabled them to deploy advanced systems across scientific innovation and back-office processes alike.

What makes this experiment particularly intriguing is the leadership behind it. Tracy Franklin, Moderna's Chief People and Digital Technology Officer, brings a rare combination of traditional HR expertise and deep technical acumen. This unique profile enables her to bridge cultural and operational differences that might sink similar efforts elsewhere. Coupled with Moderna's mature AI integration and adaptable culture, they've created the perfect conditions for this bold organizational redesign.

Should your company follow suit? Proceed with caution. Moderna's approach works because of their specific context — exceptional AI maturity, the right leadership talent, and a culture built for rapid technological adoption. For most organizations, the value lies not in structural mergers but in fostering meaningful collaboration between IT and HR functions. Success comes not from blindly copying others but from understanding your unique organizational needs and implementing solutions that truly address them.

Join us next week for a special conversation about the power of communication with our guest expert. Have you experienced major organizational restructuring in your workplace? We'd love to hear your stories and insights!

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The Magic Bullet Myth: Why Your New Tech Investment Might Be Doomed

We’ve all heard the promise: "This new software will solve everything!" But behind most failed system implementations is a fundamental misunderstanding of what drives successful change. In this eye-opening Mythbuster, we unpack why technology alone is never enough.

A successful system change relies on a three-legged stool: people, process, and technology. Focus only on the tech, and that stool will topple. Your new system means nothing if your team doesn't embrace it or if it's built on flawed processes.

Ready to break free from the technology myth? Tune in to the full episode to learn how to create lasting change, and Download your free checklist from the Target State Consulting website to help you evaluate your next system change before you commit a single dollar.

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We've got some changes for biz bytes - more content, more regulalry. Here's a snippet of what I've got in mind. 

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Have you ever wondered why some businesses thrive while others with similar products merely survive? The secret often lies not in what they do, but how they think about what they do.

Dom Bish joins me for a fascinating deep dive into the critical difference between strategy and planning—a distinction that could transform your business approach. With five years at the helm of Bolster Risk Management and over a decade in financial services, Dom brings practical wisdom about creating genuine business value.

We unpack the concept of finding your unique "business sandpit" where you can outperform competitors. As Dom explains, "The blue ocean is where you want to be. Where's that sweet spot?" With approximately 590,000 small businesses in New Zealand competing across limited industries, carving out your distinctive space is more crucial than ever.

The conversation takes surprising turns, revealing how businesses often misunderstand what industry they're actually in. McDonald's isn't just in fast food—at the corporate level, they're fundamentally in real estate. This kind of strategic clarity changes everything about how you position and grow your business.

Perhaps most valuable is Dom's framework for thinking about your business as an investment asset. Just as property investors buy, add value, protect their asset, extract income, and eventually exit—business owners should apply this same strategic thinking to their most valuable asset. Yet many fail to plan their exit strategy until it's too late to maximize value.

Whether you're a solopreneur or leading a growing company, this episode will challenge you to elevate your thinking from day-to-day planning to genuine strategic analysis. As Dom powerfully states, "Strategy is not a plan. A plan is not a strategy." Understanding this difference could be your competitive edge.

Ready to transform how you think about your business? Listen now, and discover why the best time to start thinking strategically is today.

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Discover the future of HR through the lens of AI innovation with Annie Johnson, co-founder and chief product officer of Humaneer. Annie takes us on her incredible journey from a traditional HR role to spearheading AI-driven solutions that are reshaping how organizations operate. She uncovers the concept of purpose-led design, aligning technology with company values to create ethical and effective AI systems. Annie doesn't shy away from the tough topics either—addressing fears around AI, job displacement, and transparency, while offering practical strategies to mitigate these concerns.

As we continue, the conversation highlights the complexity of media's role in shaping public perception, particularly through fear-based narratives and information overload. By comparing industry-specific insights to mainstream media's sensationalism, we explore the balance needed to stay informed. With a keen eye on governmental and regulatory challenges, we delve into the importance of clear guidelines for privacy and security in this digital era. Annie shares how startups like Humaneer make strides in fostering an AI ecosystem that prioritizes safety and productivity.

Our discussion also reflects on the broader implications of technological advancements on job evolution, emphasizing the need for a thoughtful integration of AI that augments rather than replaces human roles. By examining historical shifts in job markets, we advocate for a strategic approach that aligns with organizational goals and enhances the human element in work. Join us as we celebrate the innovative spirit of New Zealand, where Annie and her team are making remarkable progress in crafting AI solutions for the HR industry. This episode is packed with insights, strategies, and a hopeful outlook on the collaborative future of AI in the workplace.

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In this episode, I'm joined by Melissa Crawford, a visionary leader who bridges the gap between technology and human psychology. Melissa shares her insights on the future of work, the power of strategic foresight, and the importance of human-centered technology.

We'll explore topics like:

• The impact of AI on the workplace
• The future of remote work and hybrid models
• The importance of human-centered design in technology

So, tune in to hear how we can harness the power of technology while keeping our humanity intact.

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