HR Think Tank

A recent Australian Government Productivity Commission report showed mental health could cost the national economy up to $220 billion a year. 

This is just one more reason to care about how we can all support better mental health. 

Our guest today has vast experience leading teams and spearheading programs that make a real difference to the well-being of staff and the wider community. 

Lauren Daniels has held senior roles in many impactful companies, including BHP, Deloitte, and Rio Tinto. 

She was recently promoted at NIB to Group Chief People Officer, and we're thrilled to have her here with us today. 

We're excited to learn more about Lauren's work in supporting better mental health in the workplace and beyond.


Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

01:08 - Lauren's Leadership Journey

05:14 - Key Influences in Lauren's Leadership Approach

08:43 - Does Having a Family Change the Way You Lead a Team?

11:03 - Why NIB Has a Strong Focus on Supporting Mental Health

15:39 - The Life at NIB Program

17:07 - The Impact of 'Life at NIB Program' on Work Culture, Recurring & Retaining Staff

20:39 - Is 'Life at NIB Program a Long Term Shift?

24:58 - How Has Work Flexibility Affected Performance Management & Productivity?

28:27 - The Impact of NIB's Work Flexibility on Customers

30:27 - The Social Impact Between NIB Team Members

33:25 - Lauren's Strategy to Create Social Interaction Within the Workplace

38:23 - Impacts of Remote Work on Mental Health

44:07 - Fast Five

48:40 - Outro

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Connect:
Website: https://verifynow.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verifynowau
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/verifynow-services
Connect with Khai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vankhaingo

If you keep up with HR news or even just the mainstream channels, you're bound to have noticed that the world of work is changing. 

You might have experienced some of these changes firsthand. But what, exactly, is transforming the workforce - and what does that mean for cities and regional centres in Australia, where we live and work? 

To help answer these questions, we're joined today by Dr Andrew Reeson. He's a behavioural economist and Principal Research Scientist with CSIRO's Data61. 

Dr Reeson has authored over 70 research publications for CSIRO, taught at the University of Sydney as a senior lecturer and fellow, contributed to the Henry Tax Review - and currently leads Data61's Human and Machines research group. 

So there's no one better suited to give us some insight into these big questions about the future of work in Australia. 

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

01:05 - Dr Andrew's Career & Leadership Journey

08:06 - Data 61's 2016 Research on the Skills Gap Between Jobs in Australian Cities & Regions 

15:49 - The Long Term Impact of the Job City-Region Skills Gap on the Australian Workforce

18:10 - Data 61's Human & Machine Research Group

20:35 - The "Staying Connected Report" 

28:24 - The Impact of the Remote Work Model For Businesses

38:12 - The WFH Work Model's Impact on Geographical Factors

40:58 - The Potential WFH Impact From A Policy & Investment Perspective

43:12 - The Impact of Remote Work Model on Housing

49:11 - The Remote Work Model's Influence on Salaries & Employment Structure

54:40 - Fast Five Questions

01:00:18 - Outro



—
Connect:
Website: https://verifynow.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verifynowau
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/verifynow-services
Connect with Khai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vankhaingo

We're living in an age of exponential digital growth, innovation, and opportunity. But is there fair access to this new economy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?

Our guest today is Liam Ridgeway, co-founder of NGNY and Indigitek. He’s not just talking the talk about the indigenous digital economy, but he's out there making things happen.

Liam is passionate about supporting the sustainability enhancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through the influence and use of technology.

As well as running a 100% indigenous-owned digital agency, NGNY, Liam is also active in consulting with government bodies, like the Australia Council for the Arts, and increasing the participation and success of indigenous people in the tech industry.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:13 - Liam's Backstory
03:33 - Difference between a 'Welcome to Country' and 'Acknowledgement of Country'
08:38 - The Importance of Embracing Reconciliation & Australia's Full History
11:53 - Best Approach to When Addressing Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders
15:21 - Acknowledging Our Ancestors & Elders
17:03 - The Concept of Indigenous Digital Economy
21:22 - The Traction on Education, Training and Development for Young Aboriginal people
25:25 - How Regional Aboriginal Students Who've Moved from Home Can Succeed in their Studies
28:26 - How to Maintain Cultural Connection When Moving to a New Environment
31:53 - Infrastructure Investments in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Communities
37:05 - The Australian Council for Arts Digital Culture Strategy
40:52 - Liam's Leadership Journey
45:14 - Liam's Approach to Learning
49:48 - Fast Five




—
Connect:
Website: https://verifynow.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verifynowau
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/verifynow-services
Connect with Khai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vankhaingo

We're more connected with our Asia-Pacific neighbours today than ever, and we're more in need of the benefits of that relationship. 

But as a leader, how can you best navigate the cross-cultural challenges and opportunities of working in an international team? 

Today's guest is Doug Ferguson, he's the New South Wales Chair and Head of Asia and International Markets for KPMG. 

Doug focuses on an expert in successful international business relationships, who's lived abroad for over ten years, and has been managing international teams for the past ten years. 

Doug has extensive experience managing people from multiple countries and has learned much about effective leadership. 

He's also been involved with several important nonprofit organisations over the past decades that have helped build international relationships that have benefited Australians. 

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

01:16 - Doug's Leadership Backstory

07:43 - How Doug Approaches Leadership

09:18 - The Opportunities from Managing an International Team

13:33 - The Challenges of Managing & Fostering Alignment with an International Team 

15:59 - Managing Communication & Expectation Difficulties

16:51 - The Impact of Having a Diverse Team

18:05 - The Skills Leaders Should Have to Manage a Large Team

20:35 - Transferring People Skills to a Large Team

21:53 - The Importance of Authentic Leadership

26:11 - Why It's Important That Australia Maintains Engagement with the Asian Region

30:42 - Why Doug Contributions to NFPs

34:47 - Doug's Interest in Agribusiness

39:34 - The Fast Five Questions

42:51 - Final Messages

46:29 - Outro


—
Connect:
Website: https://verifynow.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verifynowau
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veri...
Connect with Khai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vankhaingo

Motivation is the fuel that propels your organization forward. When it scales up, you surge ahead; when it wanes, your momentum stalls. The motivation level of your team not only has a direct impact on that momentum but also the quality and quantity of their performance.

Today, Khai Ngo, CEO of VerifyNow, and Zahra Nathwani who is VerifyNow’s Talent Business Partner, are on the show again to talk about a topic that is so prominent in HR news and even across mainstream news bulletins at the moment: The Great Resignation.

This episode won't focus so much on the reasons why some people are leaving their jobs, but instead on what you can do to keep your employees engaged in the jobs that they're in.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
01:02  - How to Retain Your Staff Beyond the Pay Packet?
01:47 - The Key to Leadership is Self-Awareness
04:18 - Rewarding Incompetence 
06:33 - Taking People for Granted
07:31 - The 3 Key Questions for Retention Process
11:12 - Getting in the Way of People Doing Their Jobs
14:17 - Motivating People Through Training & Development
19:44 - Is it a Good Thing if People Leave the Company Once Done with Their Qualification?
21:31 - No. 1 Priority for Employees is Culture
26:39 - The Importance of Psychological Safety in the Workplace
30:45 - Using Employment Screening to Create a High-Trust Work Environment
36:19 - Fast Five Questions
41:42 - Outro


—
Connect:
Website: https://verifynow.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verifynowau
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veri...
Connect with Khai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vankhaingo

Recent research published in US Science Journal Nature shows that children living in areas with friendships that cut across class lines, earn more in adulthood. 

In other words, friendships between rich and poor can have a big impact on wealth equality. Impact, and equality through social networking, is at the centre of everything that today's guest does. 

Tuan Pham is an expert in Corporate Social Responsibility, having worked in related roles for Heineken, The World Bank and Booking.com and now in his current role as Head of Social Impact APAC at LinkedIn. We're thrilled to have him on the show and to learn more about ‘Closing the Network Gap’ and how we can all make a difference.

Follow Tuan on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/mrtpham

Topics we also cover: 
- The Value of Growing & Building Your Network 
- Why It's Importance to Close the Linkedin Network Gap 
- The Purpose of Social Impact 
- How Businesses Can Start Their Social Impact Journey



—
Connect:
Website: https://verifynow.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verifynowau
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veri...
Connect with Khai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vankhaingo

While accounting and financial planning may seem black and white to some, our guest today has discovered that it's not all about the numbers. 

She believes the human element plays a much bigger role than people give it credit for. Specifically, the human element of trust. 

Dr. Michelle Cull is the Associate Dean of Engagement at Western Sydney University, has worked for more than 15 years in ASX100 listed companies in financial roles. 

She is now a leading academic in financial planning, specialising in the moral development of financial advisers in Australia and the role of trust in the relationship between adviser and client.

Topics we also cover:
- Significant Changes in Financial Industry 
- Importance of Qualification Checks when Choosing Financial Planner
- Building Client Trust with a Financial Planner
- The 7 Characteristics of Trust



—
Connect:
Website: https://verifynow.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verifynowau
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veri...
Connect with Khai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vankhaingo

While accounting and financial planning may seem black and white to some, our guest today has discovered that it's not all about the numbers. 

She believes the human element plays a much bigger role than people give it credit for. Specifically, the human element of trust. 

Dr. Michelle Cull is the Associate Dean of Engagement at Western Sydney University and has worked for more than 15 years in ASX100 listed companies in financial roles. 

She is now a leading academic in financial planning, specialising in the moral development of financial advisers in Australia and the role of trust in the relationship between adviser and client.

Some other topics we cover:
- Significant Changes in Financial Industry 
- Importance of Qualification Checks when Choosing Financial Planner
- Building Client Trust with a Financial Planner
- The 7 Characteristics of Trust

—
Connect:
Website: https://verifynow.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verifynowau
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veri...
Connect with Khai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vankhaingo

Being a good leader is often more about the good that you can find in others, than it is about bolstering yourself. In this episode we talk about the lessons business leaders can learn from winning sports coaches. 

Our guest today is Paul Roos, the Founder and Director of Performance by Design, and one of Australia's most respected AFL players and coaches of all time. 

Like many Australians, I feel a personal connection to Paul as I remember vividly the moment that the Sydney Swans won the premiership in 2005 under his coaching. I was only in highschool, and it was the first time a Sydney team won the AFL.

I really admire Paul’s approach to leadership and I can't wait to share his insight on our podcast. 

Some other topics we cover:
- Learnings from Winnings & Losing
- Key Considerations When Setting Up an Accountability Model 
- Paul's Modified Tips on Footy Leadership
- Juggling Career & Family Responsibilities


—
Connect:
Website: https://verifynow.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verifynowau
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veri...
Connect with Khai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vankhaingo

We’re all aware of how important a strong brand is for our business. But how many of us take time to think about and develop our own personal brand? In this episode, we talk about why personal brand matters and how you go about developing and marketing ‘brand you.’
 
Our guest today has extensive brand marketing, CEO, and chair experience across business, not-for-profit, and education sectors, including the Centre for Social Impact Legacy, Rotary Foundation, UTS, and UNSW. 
 
He was the CEO and Managing Director at Stuart Alexander & Co. for over 20 years and now continues to shape the future of the company as chairman. He’s also the author of a wonderful book, Brand New Brand You. 

Some other topics we cover:
- How to repair a damaged brand.
- Effective use of social media to build your brand.
- How to maintain a network.
- The impact of volunteering.

—
Connect:
Website: https://verifynow.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verifynowau
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veri...
Connect with Khai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vankhaingo