In this episode we talk to California-based strategic communications expert Leeza Hoyt. Having worked on a wide range of issues – from the heart-breaking impacts of shootings, to helping corporates navigate some gnarly mishaps – we delve into some of the lessons she’s learnt over the years.

We talk about the answers to questions including:

• Is there a common thread in managing far-ranging issues?

We hope you enjoy this chat with Leeza Hoyt, Laura Air and Emily Svadlenak! Make sure to like, rate and subscribe to the c-Suite Spot to stay up-to-date with all our episodes.

About our guest: Leeza Hoyt

Leeza Hoyt is founder and CEO of The Hoyt Organisation, which she established in 1996. Based in California, Leeza and her team are sought after strategic communications experts, specialising in issue management, crisis communications and media training. She works with leading companies across real estate, technology, finance, healthcare, luxury lifestyle and professional services. Her work spans national and international borders, and she has managed many watershed issues for her clients. Leeza is a member of the Forbes Comms Council, and is also part of the Public Relations Global Network, alongside Alexander PR.

Connect with Leeza

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leezahoyt/

Website: https://www.hoytorg.com/

And, if you want to delve more into how to deal with an issue or crisis, our white paper, ‘2023; The Perfect Storm – 23 Bad Habits Your Board Should Change In the Era of Polycrisis’, is available to download at www.CompanyCrisis.co.nz.

In this episode:

In the wake of global turmoil and growing pressure on individuals and companies alike, the team at Alexander PR team developed a new white paper to help identify red flags before they can turn into an issue or crisis.

We worked with a number of global leaders, directors and experts to distil the top 23 bad habits directors and leaders need to be aware of in 2023. In today’s conversation, we speak to one of these contributors: Dr John Peebles.

In this conversation we discuss:

• The three questions a Director should ask when they first join an organisation.

We hope you enjoy this chat with Dr John Peebles, Emily Svadlenak and Dwayne Alexander! Make sure to like, rate and subscribe to the c-Suite Spot to stay up-to-date with all our episodes.

About our guest: Dr John Peebles

Dr John Peebles has been the Professional Director for John Peebles Associates since 1990 and an Executive Search Consultant and board advisor for 36 years.

In addition to providing Corporate Governance advice to Boards he is responsible for about 20 Non-Executive Director Appointments in any one year ranging from publicly listed companies to cooperatives, private concerns and Not for Profit organisations. He was recognised as one of the top 50 most influential global headhunters by NewsWeek (USA) in 2008 and has appointed numerous chief executives.

He has served on State Owned Enterprise, private company and Not for Profit boards is currently Chair of Premier Lifestyle Villages.

John is former Chairman of the Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust, former chairman of Pop’n’Good Holdings Ltd,  former Chair of the Auckland Opera Studio, a former Director of The Broadcasting Corporation of New Zealand and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s Board of Advisors’ (Chairman and Director from 1999 to 2003). Former Trustee of the Auckland Philharmonia Foundation Trust and a former Director and Chairman of Indigenous Corporate Solutions Ltd and a number of other private companies. Former Chair of Asia Pacific for the AESC (Association of Executive Search Consultants, New York) and a member of the global board. Moderator, Telwares Global CIO conference, Washington, November 2008 and Co Chairman AESC conference, New York, March 2009.

Dr Peebles completed a Master of Business Administration (NUU), a Post Graduate Certificate of Business Research (Waikato University) and a Doctorate of Business and Administration (Massey University). Dr Peebles’ thesis in his Doctoral Study was Power and influences on the Board’s agenda: Who determines what corporate directors discuss.

A speaker and writer on board governance he is the author of Parsley on Fish, or how corporate directors can learn to be more than decorative.

Connect with John

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-peebles-5a2a6011

Website: https://johnpeebles.org/

In this episode:

In this episode we discuss Trish’s journey, overcoming fears, expanding into overseas markets and what success looks like.

We also cover:

• Taking care of oneself when running a business

We hope you enjoy this chat with Lochan Trivedi, Trish Peng and Caitlin Veale! Make sure to like, rate and subscribe to the c-Suite Spot to stay up-to-date with all our episodes.

About our guest: Trish Peng

Trish Peng is a New Zealand couture evening and bridal gown designer, whose creations are worn not only around the country but around the world. Behind the iconic pink doors at her flagship Auckland store, you’ll find her dedication to her craft in the timeless pieces she designs. She also has a passion for innovation that culminated in the world’s first reversible dress, and a new offering for preloved and sample dresses to save on waste while donating to charity.

Links mentions:

Yours Truly: https://yourstrulybridal.co.nz/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trishpeng/

Connect with Trish

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trish-peng-42436435/

Website: https://trishpeng.com/

In this episode we discuss workplace productivity, adapting environments in the era dubbed ‘The Great Resignation’ and what leaders can do to future-proof businesses.

We also cover:

• What metric CFOs need to pay more attention to when it comes to office ROI

We hope you enjoy this chat with Emily Svadlenak, Pierre Ferrandon and Tristram Clayton! Make sure to like, rate and subscribe to the c-Suite Spot to stay up-to-date with all our episodes.

About our guest: Pierre Ferrandon

Pierre Ferrandon is an entrepreneur and head of research for Auckland-based Studio DB, a commercial fit-out and design service. He is also the CEO and founder of Omada, a new co-working brand focused on supporting the office industry’s transition to carbon 0. He brings a forward-thinking approach to imagining workspaces, covering everything from improving employee wellbeing and loyalty to increasing sustainability and productivity through great workplace design. With COVID having served as ‘The Great Reset’, office design and functionality is at the forefront of the global conversation and Pierre is passionate about business leaders ensuring they bring their staff with them as life continues to adapt.

Links mentions:

1. Office utilisation in NZ post pandemic https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/property/128545446/20-occupied-huge-drop-in-use-of-office-space-nationwide

Connect with Pierre

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pierre-ferrandon-95550a51/

Studio DB: www.studiodb.co.nz/

In this episode we explore the power of sound as wellbeing specialist Sophie Correia shares how she moved from the corporate world into her own business of wellbeing programmes and sound baths.

We also cover:

• How leaders can embrace wellbeing for better performance in their teams;

We hope you enjoy this chat with Emily Svadlenak and Sophie Correia! Make sure to like, rate and subscribe to the c-Suite Spot to stay up-to-date with all our episodes.

About our guest: Sophie Correia

Sophie worked as a lawyer, a consultant and then a senior national manager of over 25 staff. She knows first-hand how difficult it can be to balance work life and holistic well-being but claims it is her key to success. 

Sophie began teaching in 2009 and since has acquired a diverse skillset in yoga, Pilates, meditation, mindfulness and sound healing.

Since transitioning full time into her own business, Sophie has woven together her skills and leadership experience to develop classes, workshops, wellness programmes and events that are accessible for people of all abilities and lifestyles.

She has worked with companies such as Nature Baby, Antipodes, Rocket Lab, Cloudy Bay, Barfoot & Thompson and Shopify.

Links mentions:

Ivy Ross from Google: https://timesensitive.fm/episode/google-design-ivy-ross-pattern-vibration/

Dr. Bruce Lipton on sound healing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7MmSfo5b9U&list=PLSqRrsmPOd3zxBOQ1DUOCTqiVXc0REoht&index=59

Follow Sophie’s journey

You can find out more about Sophie’s workplace wellness programme, Wellness Through the Seasons, on her website: http://www.crossingxpaths.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossingxpaths/?hl=en

#20 - When an issue threatens to become a full-blown crisis and spreads beyond one market – what are the best practices in gaining control? David Fuscus speaks with Dwayne Alexander about launching Xenophon Strategies in Washington DC, the ESG monitor and what boards need to know about communicating when things go wrong. 

Welcome back for another season of the C-Suite Spot! Please remember to like, subscribe and share this episode if you liked it.

About our guest: David Fuscus, President and CEO at Xenophon Strategies

David is the 31st President of the Public Relations Global Network. PRGN has 53 communications agency members across 33 countries and works in every major market worldwide. Xenophon Strategies is the Washington, DC member of PRGN. #PublicRelations #PublicAffairs #DigitalMedia

David Fuscus is president & CEO of Xenophon Strategies, a highly focused communications and sustainability firm that he founded in 2000. Xenophon has key practices in Crisis Communications, Public Affairs, Public Relations and ESG & Sustainability. Xenophon works with clients from around the world such as NEC Corporation, Caesars Entertainment, The Virgin Group, Williams-Sonoma, The Centers for Disease Control, The U.S. Coast Guard, Williams-Sonoma. and the government of Uzbekistan. Xenophon has long standing client relationships and still has the firm's first client, Airbus.

#19 – How do you go about Tāraia te anamata tou ana (carving a legacy of excellence)? We talk about this, change management, imposter syndrome and what we can learn from master navigators with Mike Pohio, the incoming Chair of Ngāi Tahu Holdings. Plus, how we can improve productivity, how Boards and management can work together to handle crises.

Please remember to like, subscribe and share this episode if you liked it!

About our guest: Mike Pohio, Chief Executive of Ngāi Tahu Holdings

Mike is currently Chief Executive of Ngāi Tahu Holdings and has held the position for 18 months. In December 2021 he will take on the role of Chair.

Mike’s management and governance career spans 40 years. A foundation in the primary sector with a range of roles within Allied Farmers/Elders Pastoral and NZ Dairy Group/Fonterra was followed with managing Port of Tauranga’s container terminal and the enablement of growth that has continued.

He was CEO of Tainui Group Holdings (TGH) from 2006 to 2015, a period that saw the balance sheet grow from $300M to $900M and the development of The Base, Ibis Tainui Hamilton, Novotel Auckland Airport. The approval by a Board of Inquiry in 2014 laid the foundation for the development of Ruakura as a project of national significance in logistics.

He is also a professional director with extensive experience across a range of sectors including agriculture, city regeneration, energy, fisheries, investments, logistics, property. Current directorships include Argosy Property, Rotoiti 15 ILP (Chairman) and Te Atiawa Iwi Holdings.

His recent governance included directorships on the boards of Ngāi Tahu Holdings, Ngāmotu Hotels, NIWA, OSPRI and Panuku Development Auckland.

Mike holds an MBA from IMD, Lausanne, an FCA from the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and is a Chartered Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

Links mentioned:

Al Pacino’s speech in ‘Any Given Sunday’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z_7eu64y6c

Gnarls Barclay cover of Crazy by White Chapel Jak: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1WuJMsqRgs

Ngāi Tahu Holdings’ investment in Fidelity Life: https://bit.ly/3i1LLsy

To follow the journey:

Website: https://ngaitahu.iwi.nz/

Alexander PR Instagram: @alexanderpr_

www.companycrisis.co.nz

#18 – What does innovation actually mean for FinTech? Binu Paul, Specialist Lead, FinTech at the FMA shares his thoughts on the buzzwords, ethics and trends in the sector as he speaks with Laura Air and Emily Svadlenak.

Please remember to like, subscribe and share this episode if you liked it!

About our guest: Binu Paul, Specialist Lead, FinTech at the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand

Binu’s career has spanned a variety of roles in financial services, technology innovation and commercialisation over the past 20 years in New Zealand and overseas. Before taking on his current role at the FMA in late 2020, Binu founded a number of fintech startups and has also been instrumental in organising and mobilizing the fintech community in New Zealand. Previously he was CEO of an investment research business as well as headed up business strategy for one of New Zealand’s largest investment fund managers.

Prior to his training on strategy execution at the Wharton business school of the University of Pennsylvania, Binu gained both an MBA and a Bachelor of Technology degree. He is a founding member of FintechNZ, a current board member of ChildFund New Zealand and is the Chair of the fintech working group of the Council of Financial Regulators in New Zealand.

To follow the journey:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/binupaulnz/

Website: www.fintech.govt.nz

Alexander PR Instagram: @alexanderpr_

www.companycrisis.co.nz

#17 - Suzy Cato is an Australian-born New Zealand children's entertainer. She is best known as the host of several New Zealand children's television programmes, most notably Suzy's World and You and Me.

Her name has echoed across generation to become the epitome of kindness. With her monumental presence in the New Zealand media, Suzy has managed to inspire a whole generation of tamariki (children) in Aotearoa.

In this episode we also chat about her journey from being a small-town girl to creating her own production company, as well as mental health and wellbeing - and how she has let kindness lead the way.

Please remember to like, subscribe and share this episode if you liked it!

You can follow her journey here:

https://www.instagram.com/suzy_cato/?hl=en

https://suzy.co.nz/

#16 - In this episode, Laura Air talks with Dominique Dowding, MD of Dowding & Associations and the CEO of Dunedin Casino.

Dom explains that resilience, quality and regular communication is key when working with complex businesses with multiple levels of stakeholders. Plus, why you need a valued and trusted mentor and person in you corner when faced with an issue, to help you reset, refocus and reengage to get through a crisis.

Please remember to like, subscribe and share this episode if you liked it!

About our guest:

Dom is an experienced company director whose career has spanned multiple countries, industries and world-leading developments. Her focus is on transformation, growth and turning industries and businesses around so that they increase profit and community relevance.

As the CEO of Dunedin Casino, Dom is helping to transform this entertainment venue with a brand overhaul and community engagement programme, all while wearing multiple hats through her collaboration and consultation on major international projects. Dom works with organisations and company directors in multiple markets, to provide insights into how to diversify while balancing commercial and community objectives and is in regular communication with the Government and globally business and industry influencers.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dominiquedowding/