Mentor List

Renowned for his strategic acumen, Robert Iervasi, a veteran leader with experience from Asahi, illuminates the intricate art of mergers and acquisitions. He shares his profound insights on the essence of strategic planning, emphasizing deliberate choices over fleeting opportunities that may detract from overarching goals. Iervasi warns against the trap of chasing "shiny objects" and underlines the need for flexibility and adaptation to navigate the ever-changing market landscape, using Asahi's business practices as a prime example.

Jins Kadwood brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this episode, bridging the worlds of sports and business. Known for his transformation from a football coach with the Australian young socceroos to a high-performance coach for business teams, Jin reveals his insights on team dynamics and performance. His upcoming book, "Lead with Love," delves into building relationships and creating a familial atmosphere within teams, concepts that he believes are essential for both sports and corporate success.

Chapters

(00:00) - Cultivating High Performance in Business

(14:14) - Building High Performance Teams in Business

(26:03) - Achieving High Performance Through Collaboration

(36:31) - Observing and Coaching High Performance

(42:44) - The Power of Team Collaboration

(48:01) - Lessons in Leadership and Innovation

(59:00) - Uncovering Entrepreneurial Insights in Luxury Brands

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Unlock the secrets to maximising the value of AI tools in your business with our insightful conversation featuring Jeremiah Mannings. Understand why not every business problem needs an AI solution and how parallels can be drawn between today's AI and past technologies like blockchain. Discover the challenges organisations face in justifying the costs of AI tools like Microsoft's Copilot, and learn why a strategic approach is essential for effective AI adoption within your company.

Podcast Chapters

00:00 - Navigating the Value of AI Tools

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What drives a founder to turn an idea into a groundbreaking startup? In this episode, we invite Bede Moore to explore the evolving landscape of startups and venture capital in Australia. Bede shares his journey from studying colonial history to becoming a key player in the venture capital scene. We also discuss the federal government's ESVCLP regime and its significant impact on the growth of these investment funds.

Bede offers insights into the high-risk nature of venture capital and the types of businesses that tend to thrive in this environment, providing valuable advice for those seeking seed-stage funding in emerging markets.Bede shares inspirational stories of founders who have overcome significant obstacles and highlights the importance of open-mindedness, domain expertise, and tenacity. We also touch on the exhilarating first months following a pre-seed investment, the concept of power law in venture capital, and the transformative journey of being a founder.

Podcast Chapters

00:00 - Navigating the Future of Startups

12:00 - Understanding Venture Capital and Business Growth

18:29 - Identifying Traits of Successful Founders

29:19 - Founders

40:03 - Building a Successful Startup

54:58 - Entrepreneurial Journey and Insights

59:58 - Startup Strategies and Insights

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Christine Zeitz, a trailblazer in the defence industry, joins us to share her remarkable journey leading to her ascent in leadership. Christine's diverse experience in finance, commercial contracts, procurement, and business development has equipped her with a unique skill set essential for top-tier leadership roles. As she articulates, balancing commercial returns while maintaining customer satisfaction is a delicate act, but one that is vital for success in the defence sector.

Our conversation takes a deep dive into the intersection of merit, quotas, and diversity, with a keen focus on gender equality. Christine offers a candid look at the advantages and challenges she faced as a woman navigating a male-dominated industry.  She highlights the importance of leveraging past experiences to open new opportunities and the significance of having role models in leadership positions. Christine also discusses her ethical boundaries in career choices and wraps up with some rapid-fire questions on impactful books, corporate leadership, and defence technology.

Podcast Chapters

00:00 - Navigating Male-Dominated Industries

15:43 - Navigating Gender Equality and Diversity

25:08 - Transitioning to Non-Executive Board Roles

41:40 - Impactful Books and Rapid-Fire Questions

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Unlock the secrets of digital transformation and discover how AI is reshaping the business landscape with our special guest, David Banger. We unpack the rapid acceleration of digitalisation driven by the pandemic and explore the emergence of hybrid working models, digital talent acquisition, and health monitoring technologies. Gain invaluable insights into navigating this new digital age, where workplace dynamics are evolving and the importance of health awareness is more prominent than ever.

In this episode, we turn the spotlight on data privacy and cybersecurity, revealing the critical steps organisations must take to secure their data and enhance efficiency through strategic technology investments. David shares his expertise on hyper-automation and highlights the significance of eliminating non-value-adding work. As we delve into AI strategies, our conversation emphasises the crucial role of data governance, the complexities of AI transparency, and the necessity for a zero-trust environment to safeguard data security.

Podcast Chapters:

12:41 - Enhancing Data Privacy and Cybersecurity

19:19 - Data Governance and AI Strategy

24:38 - Leveraging Technology and AI Strategy

34:53 - Navigating Career Development and Leadership

47:24 - Life Lessons and Personal Growth

54:34 - Embracing Humanistic Approach in Technology

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Discover the secrets to excelling under pressure as we sit down with Sal Perna, a revered figure in law enforcement and sports tribunals. Sal’s gripping stories from his time in policing, coupled with his expert insights on sports integrity and anti-doping measures, provides a masterclass in balancing intuition with evidence-based decision-making. Hear about the real-life consequences and pressures that come with every critical choice, and find out why staying true to yourself is paramount amid external scrutiny.

Leadership isn't just about making decisions, it's about owning them. Sal shares his wisdom on navigating high-pressure situations, contrasting the collaborative Australian corporate style with the more hierarchical American approach. Gain practical techniques to maintain clarity and focus, such as taking strategic breaks and engaging diverse perspectives. Sal's experience spans both policing and corporate environments, offering a unique lens on how different leadership styles can be applied effectively depending on the situation. This episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to refine their leadership skills.

Podcast Chapters

00:47 - Effective Decision Making in High-Stakes Environments

11:14 - Navigating High-Pressure Decision Making

22:36 - Navigating Ethical Decision Making

35:45 - Sports Integrity and Anti-Doping Measures

43:17 - Learning From Experience and Maintaining Integrity

57:11 - Decision Making and Leadership Insights

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Unlock the secrets of effective regulation and gain unparalleled insights from Sean Hughes, a distinguished veteran in regulatory bodies and commercial roles. Discover why regulation is essential in modern business, often stepping in where self-regulation fails. Sean breaks down the evolution of compliance as a vital profession and the increasing complexity boards face in managing extensive compliance obligations. This episode is designed to equip you with a balanced understanding of the ever-expanding regulatory environment and its impact on organisational priorities.

We delve into the behavioural aspects of regulation, exploring why self-policing often fails and how leaders can influence compliance culture. Drawing on Malcolm Sparrow's theory, Sean categorises individuals based on their compliance tendencies and discusses the importance of positive reinforcement in regulatory interactions. Finally, we compare leadership dynamics between regulatory bodies and corporate environments, highlighting the benefits of embracing challenges and the role of empathy and humility in regulatory practices. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intricate dance between regulation, leadership, and human behaviour.

Podcast Chapters

00:00 - Trust and Integrity in Regulation

10:37 - Regulatory Challenges and Oversight

23:42 - Role of Oversight and Professional Challenges

40:10 - Behaviour, Compliance, and Regulation

46:35 - Leadership and Regulation

54:27 - Balancing Risk and Responsibility

01:04:53 - Regulator Humility and Listening

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Ever wondered what separates a good football team from an exceptional one? Join us as we sit down with Gavin Brown, a seasoned player and coach, who shares his wealth of experience on building and maintaining a high-performance culture in football. Gavin delves into the delicate balance between structured roles and creative brilliance and reveals the critical importance of every team member buying into the collective vision for sustained success.

Gavin also speaks candidly about the often-overlooked transition from an athletic career to life after the final whistle. He underscores the need for professionalism, meticulous attention to diet, sleep, and continuous learning, which contributed to his impressive 14-year career. Explore the emotional and physical readiness required for this significant shift, and the value of setting new goals to maintain a sense of purpose in retirement. Gavin's personal journey from a young, unconfident player to a seasoned professional highlights the pivotal role of self-drive, determination, and evolving club infrastructures in fostering successful athletes.

Podcast Chapters 

00:00 - High Performance Culture in Football

07:44 - Creating Longevity Through Professionalism

12:21 - Navigating Competitive Dynamics in AFL

18:43 - Effective Feedback in High Performance

30:04 - Building Trust Through Communication

42:59 - Staying in the Moment Through Basics

48:16 - Seeking Inspiration in Different Codes

54:32 - Transitioning to Corporate High Performance

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Unlock the secrets of a thriving global career with our guest, Michele Hardeman, as she takes us through her inspiring journey across continents. From Perth to Sydney, Boston, Hong Kong, and back again, Michele offers a treasure trove of insights on navigating diverse cultural landscapes while effectively managing and influencing within powerhouse organisations like State Street Bank and Trust. She shares her firsthand experiences of blending in and standing out in different markets, and how understanding organisational dynamics can be the key to a successful transition.

Dive into the heart of evolving global business trends, particularly within the markets and foreign exchange sectors. Michele and we dissect the shift from relationship-based transactions to a performance-driven and transparent marketplace, highlighting the role technology plays in this transformation. We'll also touch on the broader economic implications of these changes and the critical impact of global political events, from central bank policies to major election outcomes, on market stability and volatility.

Podcast Chapters 

00:00 - Navigating Global Career Challenges and Innovations

13:10 - Evolving Global Business Trends

16:42 - Global Markets, Politics, and Economics

31:06 - Navigating Cultural Differences in Global Business

43:56 - Career Reflections and Recommendations

53:32 - Embracing Differences

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