On this week's edition of the Canberra Business Podcast, we hear from executive producer and co-founder of Wildbear Entertainment, Serge Ou. Serge discusses his filter for decision-making as well as where the line lies between personal interests and commercial viability. Additionally, Serge shares his insight into how the media industry is changing, and why he loves problem-solving.

Shownotes

0:00 Intro

4:04 What does Wild Bear do?

7:48 Do we have an attraction to bad news? 10:10 What have you learned from your father?

15:57 How to tell a story well

18:39 When did the vision for Wildbear originate?

21:40 How did you conceptualise what you were offering initially?

26:16 Did you become nervous?

27:45 What keeps Serge motivated

29:35 How do you risk turning an interest to a business?

31:55 What is your default response under pressure?

35:00 What was the first big win?

38:25 How is the media industry changing?

41:03 What makes great content?

44:13 Where is the line between personal interest and commercial viability?

49:05 Why do you love problem-solving?

53:01 Serge's filter for decision making

57:12 The millennial talent-pool

1:00:35 What's the most difficult moment in Serge's journey so far?

1:03:10 Why does Serge tell the stories he creates?

1:08:07 How do you manage creative interests whilst completing tasks?

1:10:49 What does Serge bring to Wildbear?

1:12:25 What do you most enjoy about being a father?

1:13:33 Serge's three pieces of advice to young business owners

1:17:32 How should Wildbear grow?

1:18:56 What are the key elements for businesses in getting their story out

Find Wilbear's Website here: http://www.wildbear.tv/

Find Wildbear's Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/WildBearTV/

Find Wildbear's Twitter here: https://twitter.com/wildbeartv

To find Jonathan on Facebook please click here: https://business.facebook.com/CanberraExec/?business_id=1685164948371843

To find Jonathan on Instagram please click here: https://www.instagram.com/canberra_executive_coaching/

To find out about Canberra Executive Coaching Website please click here- https://www.canberraexecutivecoaching.com

In this week's edition of the Canberra Business Podcast, we hear from co-founder of Bentspoke Brewing Co. in Canberra, Richard Watkins. Richard discusses what brand means to him, and what are the key elements that have driven him throughout his career. Additionally, Richard shares his insight into the beer making process, and how he deals with risk in decision-making.

Shownotes-

0:00 Intro

4:47 Why are Australians more interested in what's in their food and beverages?

6:39 Why is Richard successful in brewery?

7:49 Where did your fascination with beer form?

10:32 What has been the influence of your parents?

12:50 Do you get stressed?

14:24 How do you create a beer?

17:41 What does attention to detail mean to you?

19:41 What does Bent spoke give people?

22:24 What are you looking for in new employees?

24:39 How do you deal with risk?

28:18 What does brand mean to Richard?

32:32 What skills does Richard bring to Bent Spoke?

39:20 What are you most proud of so far?

40:14 How do you deal with difficult decisions?

43:14 What are the key elements that have driven Richard?

44:29 How do you communicate your vision with your staff?

46:10 What are you proud of in your staff so far?

48:00 What do you do to keep yourself learning?

49:36 Whats the balance between protecting your product and sharing with others?

53:33 How do you manage yourself?

55:16 What is the greatest strength you bring to the business?

56:27 Three pieces of advice for business owners

Find Bentspoke's Website here: https://www.bentspokebrewing.com.au/

Find Bentspoke's Twitter here: https://twitter.com/BentSpokeBeer

Find Bentspoke's Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/BentSpokeBrewing/

Find Bentspoke's Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/bentspoke_brewery/?hl=en

To find Jonathan on Facebook please click here: https://business.facebook.com/CanberraExec/?business_id=1685164948371843

To find Jonathan on Instagram please click here: https://www.instagram.com/canberra_executive_coaching/

To find out about Canberra Executive Coaching Website please click here- https://www.canberraexecutivecoaching.com

In this week's episode we hear from Sanjay Kumar, co-founder of Daana Indian Restaurant in Curtain, Canberra. In this episode of the podcast, Sanjay talks about how perseverance and maintaining the passion for what he does has led to his restaurant's success. Sanjay also talks about the necessity of taking risks and the importance of self-belief.

Shownotes - Sanjay Kumar

0:00 Intro

4:19 Daana's Culinary Journey

7:57 What do you value most of the Indian cuisine?

9:12 What is unique about southern Indian cuisine

10:14 What drove the decision to come from India to Australia?

12:22 What was the incentive to start on your own?

14:59 Risk; why Daana chose not to play it safe

19:32 How do you manage difficult decisions?

21:08 Starting out at Dominoes

24:17 On working in Sales

31:14 The risk in changing business location.

35:25 Where did Sanjay learn of the abundance mentality

37:35 How do you sustain the passion for what you do?

44:22 What keeps you challenging yourself?

47:14 What do you want for your guests when you're there?

48:30 How do you find the right staff?

51:30 How do you manage yourself?

53:12 What are the elements of taking a passion and making it last?

55:09 Where does Sanjay want to take Daana Indian Restaurant?

57:14 How Sanjay dealt with a moment of crisis

56:54 Where did you learn your work ethic?

1:00:42 Sanjay's three pieces of advice to young business owners

1:02:34 What do you hope for your children?

01:06:13 What do you most admire about Sunita?

To find Daana Indian Restaurant online please click here

To find Daana Indian Restaurant on Facebook please click here

To find Daana Indian Restaurant on Instagram please click here

To find Daana Indian Restaurant on Twitter please click here

To find Jonathan on Facebook please click here 

To find Jonathan on Instagram please click here 

To find out about Canberra Executive Coaching Website please click here

In this week's episode we hear from co-founder of Canberra based Aspen Medical, Glenn Keys. In this edition of the podcast, Glenn discusses the values that underline Aspen Medical's success and the complementarity of a business partnership. Additionally, Glenn shares how he manages his weaknesses and where he fits humility into his business leadership.

Shownotes - Glenn Keys

8:30 The complementarity of a business partnership

10:05 How do you resolve difficult conversation at the strategic level

10:44 Aspen medical's Business Journey

14:23 What do you value most about your business partner?

18:06 Were you nervous starting the business?

20:37 Do you become stressed?

23:08 Have you always been competitive?

26:56 Glenn's decision making process

31:26 What is something that moved you in your career?

35:48 What values underline Aspen's success?

38:42 What keeps you focused on your beliefs?

41:56 How will you keep Aspen's values strong?

43:38 What do you like about humans?

45:49 What gives you life outside of work?

49:36 What are you proud of as a father?

51:16 How did you deal with crises in the business?

53:54 How do you manage your weaknesses?

55:40 Where does humility fit into business leadership?

1:00:16 Staying focused and leveraging strength

1:04:59 Is fixing things in your nature?

1:10:36 How fathering an intellectually disabled son changed Glenn

1:17:01 Three points on how to live life

1:17:57 What are you most proud of through your journey with Aspen Medical?

Find Project Independence's Website here: https://www.projectindependence.com.au/

Find Project Independence's Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/projectindependencecanberra/

Find Aspen Medical's Website here: https://www.aspenmedical.com/

To find Jonathan on Facebook please click here: https://business.facebook.com/CanberraExec/?business_id=1685164948371843

To find Jonathan on Instagram please click here: https://www.instagram.com/canberra_executive_coaching/

To find out about Canberra Executive Coaching Website please click here- https://www.canberraexecutivecoaching.com

In this week's episode we hear from former managing director of Apple and current CEO of the Canberra-based coaching analytics company, Today's Plan. Ben shares his insights into how he was able to develop a vision and capitalise on opportunity in the tech start-up landscape. In addition to this, Ben shares his approach towards developing business partnerships and a strong culture within the business.

Shownotes - Ben Bowley

0:00 - Intro 

4:59 - How do you make key decisions in business?

12:32 - Key memories and experiences from working at Apple 15:16 What do you enjoy most about tech?

20:21 How did the vision for the Today's Plan come together?

22:05 The concept of Opportunity

29:21 How to discover hidden profit centres in your business

31:42 The culture at Today's Plan

36:13 What's your approach to partnerships?

41:10 What's the essence of your culture?

44:58 Where does intuition come in business?

48:21 What keeps you going in the business world?

50:00 What do you think your business legacy will be?

52:04 Ben's 3 key points for business start-ups

Find out about Today's Plan here : https://www.todaysplan.com.au/

Find Today's Plan on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/whatstodaysplan/

Find Today's Plan on Instagram here: //www.instagram.com/whatstodaysplan/ To find Jonathan on Twitter please click here: https://twitter.com/CanberraExecut1

To find Ben's interview with the Australian Financial Review click here: http://www.afr.com/lifestyle/health/fitness/ben-bowley-todays-plan-boss-gives-cycling-tips-for-a-living-20170608-gwmxq6

To find Jonathan on Facebook please click here: https://business.facebook.com/CanberraExec/?business_id=1685164948371843

To find Jonathan on Instagram please click here: https://www.instagram.com/canberra_executive_coaching/

To find out about Canberra Executive Coaching Website please click here- https://www.canberraexecutivecoaching.com

In this week's episode I talk with Patrick Quade, partner and co-founder of accountancy and finance business Synergy Group, who explains how Synergy came to be and defines what exactly it is that Synergy does so well. We also learn about the decision making processes at Synergy, as well as how they structure their business, how Pat values his people and much more.

0:00 - Intro and getting started 3:27 - What has inspired Pat to do what he does 6:22 - What Pat is looking for in the people that he brings in 8:02 - What Pat is enjoying about this time and the essence of this growth 9:25 - How Pat judges risk and what the decision making process at Synergy Group is like 11:41 - Improving on difficult areas and how to deal with weaknesses 13:34 - How to create time for self reflection and prioritising between the here and now and long-term goals 16:46 - What makes Synergy Group different in terms of its employee structure 20:02 - Starting Synergy Group and avoiding losing company mobility and customer focus 23:49 - How Pat values his people 26:33 - Key moments in Synergy Group, what Pat brings to the workplace and how he goes about his work 31:14 - Key people in Pat's life and how he relates with them 37:29 - What Pat is most proud of and the legacy of Synergy Group

Find out about Synergy Group here :

To find Jonathan and Canberra Executive Coaching on Twitter please click here: 

To find Canberra Executive Coaching on Facebook please click here: 

To find Canberra Executive Coaching on Instagram please click here: 

To find out about Canberra Executive Coaching Website please click here- 

In this week's episode, we hear from Gerard Tiffen, owner of mortgage brokerage company Tiffen & Co on creating a dynamic business model in a service industry. Gerard discusses how he places great value upon developing client loyalty, as well as the utilisation of mentors and never being afraid to ask questions.

 0:00 - Intro

1:00 - What does Tiffen & Co do better then others?

2:50 The role of the government in barriers to entry

10:50 What drives Gerrard

17:32 What do you enjoy most about interacting with clients?

21:03 How do you deal with stress?

30:30 What do you look for in people?

33:12 How would you describe the culture of Tiffen & Co? 38:03 How do you keep track of the industry? - what methods do you use to keep learning?

39:15 What is the importance of mentors?

41:59 What is it that makes you not afraid to ask and risk rejection?

44:54 How much can you pursue mastery?

46:33 Big decision making- how does Gerrard address this?

47:31 Why do you care so much about your clients?

54:18 How do you allocate your time?

58:35 Advice for young business owners?

Find out about Tiffen & Co here : To find Tiffen & Co on Facebook please click here: 

To find Jonathan and Canberra Executive Coaching on Twitter please click here: 

To find Canberra Executive Coaching on Facebook please click here: 

To findCanberra Executive Coaching on Instagram please click here: 

To find out about Canberra Executive Coaching Website please click here- 

To Find out about Slack click HERE

In this week's episode I talk with the amazing Michelle Melbourne who with her husband Phil has built a globally focused tech business taking on some of the biggest names on the planet.

Michelle is deeply passionate about people and about how technology can be used to address both challenges in government and business but also the deeply human issues of poverty in developing nations.

Michelle has a fascinating back story involving a deep interest in the physical world, the sciences, psychology and music. This synthesis of these unique interests has been integral in developing a business that brings the best out of her tribe and brings their best to the world.

5.51 - We talk about courage in the business journey.

6:54 - passion and persistence and their relationship to courage. Michelle discusses the power of being deliberate, persistent and consistent.

11.50 - Michelle begins to discuss her passion for technology and how it can help solve genuine human problems.

13.35 - Michelle describes what Intelledox software really does and how it can address major processes in business and public life.

13.58 - How Intelledox can help solve the issues caused by poverty in developing nations.

18:25 - Learning to be proud of your team and making sure you attract the right people.

19:10 - The importance of learning to 'disrupt yourself' and keep up with your industry.

20:40 The importance of being 'just in time'

21:22 The 'impossible climb' and how you need to be positioned to take advantage of changes in your business environment.

22:24 - The importance of simply never giving up.

24:50 What keeps Michelle going when faced with adversity.

28:00 Educating an emerging market. Innovation or business as usual.

29:39 - Dealing with failure and setbacks

34:15 - Hiring people for potential not their current ability.

43:05 - The power of showing up with relentless excellence.

45:04 A non-binary - evolutionary approach to decision making.

46:51 - The landing airplanes approach to controlling chaos

47:32 Dealing with imposter syndrome.

51:06 - Smooth waters do not make good sailors. Learning to love the struggle.

54:14 - Punching above your weight and being a 'giant beater'

56"04 - What is so special about Canberra?

58:10 Michelles shares three key pieces of final advice.

Find Intelledox here:

Michelle on Twitter here:

Louise Curtis is an amazing business woman who has so much to teach all of us on the journey of life and business.

She has been either a finalist or winner in various categories of the Telstra Business Awards over numerous years and continues to inspire and lead in the Canberra business space.

After being told to 'learn how to type so someone would marry her' Louise discovered a very different path. She commenced a career in the legal industry quickly helping to building a thriving and dynamic practice.

Her journey soon led to other opportunities and challenges which eventually led to her own business Hamperesque and then the successful LollyPotz. In time she took on the challenge of a struggling online party supplies business called Pink Frosting.

In this interview Louise shares so many of the experiences, people and setback that have defined her journey and helps us understand the courage and resilience that we all need to build a thriving and successful business story.

Find Lollypotz HERE

Find Pink Frosting HERE

Find Jonathan at Canberra Executive Coaching HERE

Lollypotz Instagram HERE 

Jonathan Instagram HERE

In this episode I sit down with one of the worlds most respected wine makers Tim Kirk from Clonakilla Wines outside Canberra.

Tim brings an amazing passion and energy to his work and to his desire to express a unique and complex experience of land, weather, knowledge and wine making.

The Clonakilla story begins in the darkest days of World War II and crosses the world as the young scientist Dr. John Kirk allows the forces of curiosity and risk to drive an idea that changed a generation and gave the world some of the best cool climate wines in existence.

More than simply a business Tim shares how Clonakilla is essentially an aesthetic project, an attempt to express something very special about a special part of the world.

The learning in this discussion is all around the movement from simply trying to make money toward something far deeper and richer. It's about a desire to share your passion with the world. Whatever your product or service you can learn so much from listening to this amazing businessman, wine maker and risk taker.

Find Clonakilla at http://www.clonakilla.com.au/