Gus Balbontin is a Director at Neu21. Neu21 is a transformation consultancy, venture studio, and product lab that provides creative ideas and insights to business leaders through times of innovation and growth.

In this episode, Gus reflects on how growing up in Argentina and travelling the world taught him the skills he needed to lead an innovative business in Australia. He explains why all businesses need to consider their exit strategy for new systems before implementation even happens and emphasises the need for adaptability, continuous learning and tolerating discomfort as a leader. Gus shares how he applied these principles during Lonely Planet's digital transition in the early aughts and how he embodies these traits personally and professionally. 

 

Resources and links:

• Neu21 website
• Gus Balbontin website
• Gus Balbontin newsletter
• Gus Balbontin on LinkedIn
• Gus Balbontin on Instagram
• Gus Balbontin on X
• Gus Balbontin on YouTube

 

Connect:

• Alexander Spencer website
• Alexander Spencer on X
• Alexander Spencer on Facebook
• Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Friska Wirya is a Fractional Change Leader and the Director of the Future Fit Group. The Future Fit Group provides bespoke change management advisory services to help business leaders navigate change successfully and sustainably.

In this episode, Friska shares her experiences as a people and change management consultant and how she successfully helped WA Police with restructuring their systems. She also explains the importance of relational intelligence (RQ), the common misconceptions and mistakes leaders make during change, and why you shouldn’t take the biscuits out of the office kitchen.

 

Resources and links:

• Future Fit Group website
• Buy “Future Talk: A conversation card game for teams” here
• Buy “Future Fit” here
• Future Fit Group on Instagram
• Future Fit Group on YouTube
• Future Fit Group on TikTok
• Friska Wirya on LinkedIn

 

Connect:

• Alexander Spencer website
• Alexander Spencer on X
• Alexander Spencer on Facebook
• Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Dr Steven Lu is the Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Everlab. Everlab offers preventative health screenings to detect diseases and risk factors early, providing personalised reports and tailored health plans to improve overall wellbeing.

In this episode, Steven explains the Everlab process of genetic testing and health monitoring to help you maximise your health capital. He highlights the importance of proactive, preventative healthcare over reactive healthcare, emphasises the role of exercise, nutrition, and sleep in establishing and maintaining good health for better ROI, and shares real-life patient success stories.

 

Resources and links:

• Everlab website
• Book a discovery call with Everlab here
• Everlab on LinkedIn
• Everlab on Instagram
• Everlab on Facebook
• Everlab on TikTok
• Dr Steven Lu on LinkedIn

 

Connect:

• Alexander Spencer website
• Alexander Spencer on X
• Alexander Spencer on Facebook
• Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Fameez Haroon is the Co-founder of OTAA. OTAA is an Australian luxury menswear brand which creates stylish, handmade, eco-friendly ties and shirts using recycled materials from the ocean.

In this episode, Fameez shares how a negative experience with a salesperson while buying a tie inspired him and his brother to start OTAA and change the experience for men. He discusses the early challenges OTAA faced in getting off the ground, how humour became an integral part of the brand's marketing, and his plans for the future.

 

Resources and links:

• OTAA website
• OTAA on Instagram
• OTAA on Facebook
• OTAA on TikTok
• OTAA on X
• Fameez Haroon on LinkedIn

 

Connect:

• Alexander Spencer website
• Alexander Spencer on X
• Alexander Spencer on Facebook
• Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Iris Saar Isaacs is the Designer and Creative Director at inSync Design. inSync Design is an award-winning jewellery brand creating high-quality Australian-made, contemporary jewellery that is unique, timeless and affordable from their studio in Melbourne.

In this episode, Iris gets candid about her journey of founding and growing her business and how she makes inSync Design stand out in the market. She discusses how she pivoted from wholesale to online retail during the pandemic, how she scaled her business internationally, and the importance of pricing, marketing, and exclusivity for fellow creatives and aspiring business owners.

 

Resources and links:

• inSync Design website
• Iris Saar Isaacs on LinkedIn

 

Connect:

• Alexander Spencer website
• Alexander Spencer on X
• Alexander Spencer on Facebook
• Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Darren Sommers is the Founder of Adventum Legal. Adventum Legal is a boutique law firm specialising in the intersection of law, investment, and innovation to provide solutions to complex problems across technology, commercial, and corporate law.

In this episode, Darren explains how he works with tech companies that utilise employee share plans to attract and retain talent and why you might want to consider them as part of your strategic growth plan. He also dives into common legal pitfalls to avoid, how to prepare for employee departures with clearly defined parameters for "good leavers" and "bad leavers" when considering share plans, and how to ensure these plans are effectively implemented from the outset to prevent potential confusion or conflict in the future.

 

Resources and links:

• Adventum Legal website
• Darren Sommers on LinkedIn

 

Connect:

• Alexander Spencer website
• Alexander Spencer on X
• Alexander Spencer on Facebook
• Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

John Vilianiotis is a specialist consultant psychologist with over 20 years of experience helping boards, executives, and leadership teams understand human behaviour. John works both in private practice and as a business psychologist.

In this episode, John reveals the red flags that experienced interviewers look for beyond what's on a resume, explains how AI-generated interview responses are already fooling some hiring managers but why they won't work on seasoned professionals, and shares why hiring for character over capability might be the most important decision you make for your business culture.

 

Resources and links:

• John Vilianiotis on LinkedIn

 

Connect:

• Alexander Spencer website
• Alexander Spencer on X
• Alexander Spencer on Facebook
• Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

James Pridgeon is the Founder and Director of Steel Window Design. Steel Window Design is one of Australia’s leading manufacturers of steel windows and doors for commercial and residential projects.

In this episode, James shares his journey from civil engineer and draftsman to founding his own company. He discusses the challenges he faced building and growing the business, including finding skilled fabricators and balancing cost with maintaining high product standards during the growth phase. He also emphasises the importance of mentorship, networking, and careful delegation for building a successful business.

 

Resources and links:

• Steel Window Design website
• Profile on Steel Window Design on The Local Project

 

Connect:

• Alexander Spencer website
• Alexander Spencer on X
• Alexander Spencer on Facebook
• Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Kate Whitehead is the Managing Director of  Avant Group. Avant Group is one of Australia’s leading consultancy firms specialising in government grants, business advisory services, technical research, and marketing strategies.

In this episode, Kate explains the complexities of government business grants and funding. She highlights the different types of grants, the challenges businesses can face when preparing grant applications, and how specialised advisors can smooth the process for business owners.

 

Resources and links:

• Avant Group website
• Kate Whitehead on LinkedIn

 

Connect:

• Alexander Spencer website
• Alexander Spencer on X
• Alexander Spencer on Facebook
• Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Anders Landberg is an R&D Tax Incentive Specialist at AHL Advisory. AHL Advisory provides expert advice on R&D strategy, eligibility assessments, audit defence, and claim financing for businesses that want to take advantage of the Australian Government’s research and development tax incentives.

In this episode, Anders explores how R&D tax incentives allow businesses to innovate and save money. He breaks down the essential eligibility criteria, how to stay compliant throughout the process, and the pitfalls of relying on general advisors for specialist purposes.

 

Resources and links:

• AHL Advisory website
• Anders Landberg on LinkedIn

 

Connect:

• Alexander Spencer website
• Alexander Spencer on Twitter
• Alexander Spencer on Facebook
• Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.