The Big Con Podcast

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Uncover the reasons behind the unexpected crash of ABC Learning.
• Understand the delicate balance between aggressive expansion and sustainable business growth.
• Navigate the murky waters of ethical dilemmas within the childcare industry.
• Discover why personalization in childcare is more than just a buzzword—it's an essential guide to nurturing future generations.
• Explore the underrated power of humility in leadership and learn when to make the difficult decision to move on.

📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu

The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale dive into the wild world of business blunders and figure out where things went wrong (or right, but mostly wrong) and use the benefit of hindsight and a healthy dose of schadenfreude to look at where there was an impact on either their profit, their brand, or something much more dire. The Big Con examines the stories of businesses that refused to invest in strategy and where we can learn from their mistakes.

In this episode, we delve into the captivating journey of George Calombaris, a Greek culinary icon and MasterChef Australia judge. From being an ambitious son of migrants to becoming an international celebrity chef and building a restaurant empire, George's story is not short of triumph and controversy. We discuss his impressive career milestones, his advocacy for hard work, and the shocking scandal that led to a $7.83 million wage underpayment confession, the closure of his restaurants, and public outrage. Join us as we unravel the mystery behind the downfall of this culinary giant and explore the bigger picture about hospitality industry practices.

📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu

The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale dive into the wild world of business blunders and figure out where things went wrong (or right, but mostly wrong) and use the benefit of hindsight and a healthy dose of schadenfreude to look at where there was an impact on either their profit, their brand, or something much more dire. The Big Con examines the stories of businesses that refused to invest in strategy and where we can learn from their mistakes.

Join us as we dive into the PwC tax scandal, where insider knowledge meets gross breach of trust. We explore how PwC's involvement in shaping Australia's tax laws led to a circus of juggling interests, falling heads, and new lessons. Stay tuned for a real-life spectacle and a case of being cautionary when dealing with consultants!

📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu

The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale dive into the wild world of business blunders and figure out where things went wrong (or right, but mostly wrong) and use the benefit of hindsight and a healthy dose of schadenfreude to look at where there was an impact on either their profit, their brand, or something much more dire. The Big Con examines the stories of businesses that refused to invest in strategy and where we can learn from their mistakes.

On this week's episode, we're taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane to the era of MySpace! Before Zuckerberg, Spotify, and smartphones, we were coding profile pages and curating the perfect friend's list. Learn about its rise and fall, the marketing tactics that went wrong, and how it changed the social media landscape. From being a platform for budding musicians like Lily Allen and Arctic Monkeys to a victim of over-advertising and bad user interface, let's dissect the story of MySpace. Also, find out why it's more important to keep up with the technological Joneses. Tune in for a chat filled with laughter, learning, and a hefty dose of 2000s nostalgia!

📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu

The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale dive into the wild world of business blunders and figure out where things went wrong (or right, but mostly wrong) and use the benefit of hindsight and a healthy dose of schadenfreude to look at where there was an impact on either their profit, their brand, or something much more dire. The Big Con examines the stories of businesses that refused to invest in strategy and where we can learn from their mistakes.

This episode is not for the faint of heart we are spinning the tale of Wirecard, the German fintech darling turned scandal central. Expect tech wunderkinds, risky markets, accounting trickery, and a dash of journalist intimidation. Remember, unicorns aren't always what they seem - sometimes they're just goats wearing party hats! Tune in for a wild journey through the world of corporate shenanigans.

📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu

The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale dive into the wild world of business blunders and figure out where things went wrong (or right, but mostly wrong) and use the benefit of hindsight and a healthy dose of schadenfreude to look at where there was an impact on either their profit, their brand, or something much more dire. The Big Con examines the stories of businesses that refused to invest in strategy and where we can learn from their mistakes.

Once a household name that once dominated the wellness industry but ultimately struggled to adapt to changing societal attitudes. From its humble origins and the impact of its points system to the decision to rebrand as WW, we'll delve into the factors that contributed to the company's downfall. Explore how WW's failure to shift its focus from weight loss to holistic wellness led to controversial decisions, such as introducing Kurbo, a weight loss app for children. We'll also examine the financial fallout, the role of Oprah Winfrey, and a series of unfortunate events that tarnished the brand's reputation. Finally, learn valuable lessons from Weight Watchers' mistakes, emphasizing the importance of research, rebranding mentality, and staying adaptable in the face of change. Join us as we uncover the compelling story of a once-thriving business and its dramatic rise and fall in a rapidly evolving market.


📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu

The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale dive into the wild world of business blunders and figure out where things went wrong (or right, but mostly wrong) and use the benefit of hindsight and a healthy dose of schadenfreude to look at where there was an impact on either their profit, their brand, or something much more dire. The Big Con examines the stories of businesses that refused to invest in strategy and where we can learn from their mistakes.

We're back for season 2!
Everybody knows someone and their aunty who has partaken in the F45 Fitness Craze. But much like a sprinter who forgot to warm up or a bodybuilder who forgot their protein shake, F45 is in trouble!
Join us as we dive into the captivating story of F45, the innovative fitness franchise that took the world by storm, faced its share of challenges, and now eyes a potential comeback.

📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu

The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale dive into the wild world of business blunders and figure out where things went wrong (or right, but mostly wrong) and use the benefit of hindsight and a healthy dose of schadenfreude to look at where there was an impact on either their profit, their brand, or something much more dire. The Big Con examines the stories of businesses that refused to invest in strategy and where we can learn from their mistakes.

Join us as we wrap up Season 1 and discuss critical takeaways, updates, and lessons learned from the fascinating stories we've covered this season. From Volkswagon's grand fall, the Lego Universe, to the return of Ed Hardy, we've got plenty of exciting updates to share. Plus, we touch on the importance of good governance and avoiding entrepreneurial silos. And, of course, we can't forget our "Con of the Season," tune in to find out who! Listen in and enjoy!

📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu

The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale dive into the wild world of business blunders and figure out where things went wrong (or right, but mostly wrong) and use the benefit of hindsight and a healthy dose of schadenfreude to look at where there was an impact on either their profit, their brand, or something much more dire. The Big Con examines the stories of businesses that refused to invest in strategy and where we can learn from their mistakes.

What can be said about Big Review TV that hasn't already been summed up by the Australian Financial Review's article titled "The story behind Australia's worst accounting scandal?"

Well turns out plenty! Join Emily and Dale for a special Big Con Origins Episode as we take Disco Lab's Victoria Beal through the Ill-fated Big Review TV, an almost-Australian-tech-unicorn, a 2017 stock market darling before transitioning into a cautionary tale of questionable accounting no longer to be heard of again.

This is the wildest ride of the season, and we were in the passenger seats - strap in!

📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu

The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale dive into the wild world of business blunders and figure out where things went wrong (or right, but mostly wrong) and use the benefit of hindsight and a healthy dose of schadenfreude to look at where there was an impact on either their profit, their brand, or something much more dire. The Big Con examines the stories of businesses that refused to invest in strategy and where we can learn from their mistakes.

Resources used in this episode:

• https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/the-story-behind-australia-s-worst-accounting-scandal-20220325-p5a7uj
• https://www.businessnewsaustralia.com/articles/former-ceo-of-failed-media-company-big-un-faces-insider-trading-charges.html

What led to a multi-billion dollar company lying to government bodies, your staff being jailed and putting people's lives at risk?
We dive into the Volkswagen emissions scandal, environmental crimes, cheating scandals, and doubling down instead of admitting defeat. The scandal raises questions about the internal culture at Volkswagen and what leads to a GDP-impacting disaster!

📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu

The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale dive into the wild world of business blunders and figure out where things went wrong (or right, but mostly wrong) and use the benefit of hindsight and a healthy dose of schadenfreude to look at where there was an impact on either their profit, their brand, or something much more dire. The Big Con examines the stories of businesses that refused to invest in strategy and where we can learn from their mistakes.

References used in this episode:

• https://www.theguardian.com/business/ng-interactive/2015/sep/23/volkswagen-emissions-scandal-explained-diesel-cars
• https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/volkswagen-must-pay-record-125m-fine-for-emissions-scandal-20211112-p598f1
• https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/vw-culture-blame-silence-over-emissions-scandal-ex-manager-says-trial-2021-09-23/
• https://www.wsj.com/articles/volkswagen-tries-to-change-workplace-culture-that-fueled-emissions-scandal-11601425486
• https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/the-biggest-lesson-from-volkswagen-culture-dictates/254178
• https://www.ft.com/content/263c811c-d8e4-11e6-944b-e7eb37a6aa8e
• https://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/11/emissions-scandal-vws-demanding-culture-under-winterkorn-led-to-crisis.html
• https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/8/3/23
• https://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/the-volkswagen-settlement-how-bad-management-leads-to-big-punishment