Trench Talk with Matt Reynolds

Tessa Carroll is the Co-Founder of both the luxury accessories label Ahimsa Collective and The Common Good Company.

Tessa was brought up to turn off the taps when brushing her teeth and to make sure lights weren't left on unnecessarily, so she developed a keen interest in the environment early in life. That upbringing coupled with her interest in design and fashion has led to the creation of two unique and very impressive companies.

Ahimsa Collective is a luxury accessories label, intent on producing products with no harm. Their website, theahimsacollective.com, explains exactly who they are:

• We are part of a new generation of change agents and thinkers.
• We focus on both environmental and social responsibility.
• We operate as a luxury fashion label; while inciting change.
• We aim to not only reduce the fashion industry's footprint, but attempt to reverse it.

Ahimsa Collective bags are made from pineapple leaves and recycled materials that would otherwise go to landfill.

The Common Good Company uses recycled materials and ethical practices to manufacture apparel 'in the benefits or interests of all'. When choosing one of their t-shirts you are saving 2,700 litres of water, 170gms of textile waste & 4.5 plastic water bottles from landfill.

During this chat, we covered:

• Tessa's journey building both companies
• why she's passionate about fashion and dedicated to cleaning up the industry
• how her products are made and put together
• a lot about their supply chain and all the elements that go into reversing the fashion industry's footprint
• the causes she's supporting through the businesses, and, as always,
• much more

You can find out more about Tessa at tessacarroll.com, you'll find ahimsa Collective at theahimsacollective.com and the Common Good Company at the thecommongoodco.com.

If you enjoy Trench Talk, please remember to hit the subscribe button inside your chosen podcast player, more episodes can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast.

Enjoy Trench Talk Episode #064 with Tessa Carroll…

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Show notes and links for this episode can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast.

You can find Matt Reynolds on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on LinkedIn.

Dr John Demartini is considered one of the world's leading authorities on human behavior and personal development. He is the founder of the Demartini Institute, a private research and education organization with a curriculum of over 76 courses covering multiple aspects of human development. His father owned a plumbing supply store where Dr Demartini began working when he was just 4 years old.

His trademarked methodologies in human development, the Demartini Method and the Demartini Value Determination are culminations of over 44 years of cross-disciplinary research and study, and utilized in all human development industries across the world.

Dr Demartini travels 360 days a year to countries all over the globe where he shares his research and findings in all markets and sectors. He is the author of 40 books published in 36 different languages. He has produced over 70 CDs and DVDs and dozens of online programs covering subjects such as development in relationships, wealth, education and business. He has created over 76 different courses; the most advanced of which is a 21-year correspondence course. Each program is designed to assist people to activate leadership and empower all seven areas of their lives: Financial, physical, mental, vocational, spiritual, family and social.

During this chat, we covered:

• the early days John spent working as a plumber
• one of his first businesses where he employed 9 people by aged 9, cleaning and maintaining neighbourhood yards
• learning to save money, while building a business
• thinking longterm
• the two ways to think about delegation
• why he doesn't own a phone
• overcoming challenges using the Demartini Method
• what happens when you die, and, as always,
• much more

You can find out more about Dr Demartini at his website drdemartini.com.

If you enjoy Trench Talk, please remember to hit the subscribe button inside your chosen podcast player, more episodes can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast.

Enjoy Trench Talk Episode #063 with Dr John Demartini…

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Show notes and links for this episode can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast.

You can find Matt Reynolds on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on LinkedIn.

Gabriel Pinchev is the Founder and CEO of FieldPulse. FieldPulse is field service software that acts as the digital hub for running your entire contracting business from a single app.

Gabe's background is in the technology sector. After working with multiple contractors and seeing the amount of hand-written paperwork they were sending out (and not getting paid for), Gabe started FieldPulse to help contractors keep track of their businesses and get paid faster.

Today he continues to talk to customers and prospective customers daily to keep up with the latest issues and trends in the contracting world.

In March of 2019, FieldPulse announced they had raised $2.2M led by Capri Ventures and Apple Core Holdings, along with other notable investors. FieldPulse's success includes high triple-digit user growth over the last year, significant additions to its service and product line, announcement of key partnerships with platforms like GPS Insight, and being named to Capterra's list of the 20 Most Affordable Field Service Management Software Solutions. This funding will enable FieldPulse to further build on its exponential growth to date and continue to drive rapid disruption as legacy contractors migrate to digital platforms.

During this chat, we covered:

• providing free quotes and why Gabe believes it's bad for the entire industry
• saving money
• customer expectations
• customer experience
• technology including developments in the mobile and GPS space
• why knowing the numbers within your business is so important
• building apps
• raising money, and, as always,
• much more

To contract Gabe directly head to Linkedin and to learn more about FieldPulse go to fieldpulse.com.

If you enjoy Trench Talk, please remember to hit the subscribe button inside your chosen podcast player, more episodes can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast.

Enjoy Trench Talk Episode #062 with Gabriel Pinchev…

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Show notes and links for this episode can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast.

You can find Matt Reynolds on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on LinkedIn.

John Akhoian is the Founder and CEO at Rooter Hero, a plumbing company based in California in the United States. John opened his doors in 2011 and now, a short 8 years later, has some 250 trucks on the road serving clients across 2 states. John has plans to go national and has even given thought to international expansion.

John has a real people focus. His mission is to help others maximize their careers and live fulfilling, comfortable lives. His quest is to create 99 millionaires within his own business, a project he is already making significant progress on.

He is the author of 3 books, titled "The Secret to Real Wealth", "Creating 99 Millionaires" and "Values First. Principle Driven Leadership."

During this chat, we covered:

• the early days John spent working out of the back of his car
• saving money
• why plumbing should be your first career choice and not your plan B
• some of the early marketing strategies John used, how he got work and how he organised his day
• growing a business, without using debt or financing
• why he makes himself so accessible including having his own mobile phone number on the company website (rooterhero.com) and why it's on the back of every business card, something very rare for a company as large as John now runs
• the reason he teaches finance to his employees
• why John believes the future of trades is in technology, and, as always,
• much more

John is very active on LinkedIn so you can track him down there and learn more about his company work at rooterhero.com. You can get the 3 books John has written at rooterhero.com/books and his email address is [email protected].

If you enjoy Trench Talk, please remember to hit the subscribe button inside your chosen podcast player, more episodes can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast.

Enjoy Trench Talk Episode #061 with John Akhoian…

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Show notes and links for this episode can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast.

You can find Matt Reynolds on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on LinkedIn.

James Newbury MP is the elected Liberal Member for Brighton, my hometown here in Melbourne, Australia.

James was born in Melbourne and grew up in East Malvern.

During high school, James did bookwork for his father's dental practice, where he learned about the burden of over regulation and the challenges of running a small business.

James has completed three university degrees, including a Juris Doctor and a Master's Degree in Business Law.

After completing a Master of Business (Law), James began working for the Howard Government, eventually moving to Canberra to work at the highest levels of Federal Government. During his time working in Canberra, James had responsibility for advising many Senior Ministers and Party leaders.

After the election of the Abbott Government, James moved back to Brighton with his wife Suzanne and started their own family, they now have two young daughters.

James worked as Senior Adviser to then Premier, Dr Denis Napthine, before moving into the private sector. James worked as a Group Company Secretary for the Australian Retail Credit Association, the peak body for organisations involved in credit reporting.

In 2016, James decided to put his hand up to represent the Brighton community and be a strong voice for them in Parliament.

He was elected to the Victorian Parliament in November 2018.

During this chat, we covered:

• how the roles of Minister's are changing
• safety on the job, including some aspects of mental health
• the state and federal systems of government
• working with former Australian Prime Minister John Howard
• crafting questions for parliament
• his first days in office
• why he supports small businesses
• a little about the Brighton community, and, as always,
• much more

You can learn more about James and his current work in Brighton at jamesnewbury.com.au. You'll also find many ways to contact James at that same site.

If you enjoy Trench Talk, please remember to hit the subscribe button inside your chosen podcast player, more episodes can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast.

Enjoy Trench Talk Episode #060 with James Newbury…

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Show notes and links for this episode can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast.

You can find Matt Reynolds on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on LinkedIn.

Brigham Dickinson is the President at Power Selling Pros, a customer service coaching business for the home services industry including trades such as plumbing and electrical amongst many others based out of Utah in the United States.

His clients also include the likes of Mitsubishi Electric, Lennox, the Dwyer Group, Carrier, American Standard and The Electric & Gas Industries Association University.

This conversation revolved around many of the teachings and lessons Brigham explores in his new book titled Patterned After Excellence: Pursuing Truth in Work and Life which is now available for purchase on Amazon.

In addition to his title of President at Power Selling Pros, Brigham is also the Founder of the Power Certification Program, a call-handling training program that holds teams accountable to booking calls and creating Wow! experiences over the phone.

Brigham started Power Selling Pros in 2009 when he saw that call handlers needed assistance consistently converting calls to bookings. As a result, Brigham answered the need and created the Power Certification Program to effect change in his industry's call centers in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The purpose of the Power Certification Program is to partner with contractors and certify their CSRs (customer service representatives) to deliver a world-class customer experience. The program guarantees that contractor call-handling teams will book at least 85 percent of their calls and wow more customers.

During this chat, we covered:

• why fast-growing trade companies are training their competitors
• technology and human skills
• why it's so important your clients "like you" and how to do that
• managing millennials
• leadership
• finding truth
• communication
• growing businesses, and, as always,
• much more

You can learn more about Brigham at powersellingpros.com and you'll find his new book on Amazon.

If you enjoy Trench Talk, please remember to hit the subscribe button inside your chosen podcast player, more episodes can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast.

Enjoy Trench Talk Episode #059 with Brigham Dickinson…

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Show notes and links for this episode can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast.

Feel free to email me with any suggestions or feedback to [email protected].

You can find Matt Reynolds on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on LinkedIn.

This episode features Michael Armstrong, a Partner at Kay & Burton and their General Manager of Marketing, Justin Hodgson.

The Kay & Burton name has been synonymous with luxury property in the Melbourne market, connecting buyers from around the globe with premium Melbourne and Mornington Peninsula real estate, for more than 80 years.

This is a conversation about the changes within the property sector and an insight into the future of property as the first mainstream signs of the industry adopting technology and embracing digital solutions emerge.

There's no doubt, many efficiencies can be harnessed in the property sector using technology, but how to think about and when to move on different options has become very important. As we have seen, being to slow, or to fast can be disastrous.

During this chat, we covered:

• both the good and the bad of real estate disruption
• technology strategies
• offline v online marketing, including social media
• customer experience
• opening new offices
• using WeChat to sell property
• analysing data to track property maintenance and artificial intelligence to drive decisions like buying, selling and renovating
• the Kay and Burton brand, and, as always,
• much more

You can learn more about Kay & Burton and find both Michael and Justin at kayburton.com.au.

If you enjoy Trench Talk, please remember to hit the subscribe button inside your chosen podcast player, more episodes can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast.

If you do enjoy this episode, you may also like to go back to episode #004 of the Trench Talk Podcast which features Kay and Burton Managing Director Ross Savas and his own journey building a career in the real estate industry.

Enjoy Trench Talk Episode #058 with Michael Armstrong and Justin Hodgson…

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Show notes and links for this episode can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast.

Feel free to email me with any suggestions or feedback to [email protected].

You can find Matt Reynolds on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on LinkedIn.

Mark Pesce is a futurist, speaker, inventor, multiple award-winning author and podcaster, educator and entrepreneur. He is also a keynote speaker for the 2019 World Plumbing Conference.

Mark has been at the forefront of the digital revolution for thirty-five years and is a sought-after keynote speaker for major conferences and leadership gatherings. Bringing clarity, understanding and insight. From virtual reality to education, finance, manufacturing, transportation and communication, Mark gives individuals and organisations the tools they need to think effectively about the future, its opportunities, and its disruptions.

During this chat, we covered:

• what a futurist actually does
• robots, and why they aren't coming for our jobs just yet
• understanding the qualities and differences between computers and humans and how they can best work together
• automation and where both the trade industry and most professions are headed next
• augmented reality and mapping our workspaces using wearable glasses
• cryptocurrencies
• driverless cars
• the future of voice technology
• a little on energy, and, as always,
• much more

To learn more about Mark visit his website markpesce.com, his Twitter handle is @mpesce or you can track him down on LinkedIn.

If you enjoy Trench Talk, please remember to hit the subscribe button inside your chosen podcast player, more episodes can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast

Enjoy Trench Talk Episode #057 with Mark Pesce…

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Show notes and links for this episode can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast.

Feel free to email me with any suggestions or feedback to [email protected].

You can find Matt Reynolds on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on LinkedIn.

Rob Gell is a coastal geomorphologist by training; he taught Environmental Science and Physical Geography at Melbourne State College and Melbourne University, then for thirty-one years presented television weather. He is also a keynote speaker and the MC for the 2019 World Plumbing Conference.

Rob has extensive experience in environmental communications and marketing, business strategy and sustainable development project design- responding to the need for business to be informed about new issues and actively develop new plans and programs to ensure an understanding of changing markets, the emerging green economy and the need for a positive and accountable contribution on behalf of all stakeholders.

Rob is a Director at ReThink Sustainability and at water tank supply company GreenCo Water. He is also a published author and a photographer.

Rob is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, an Inaugural Fellow of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand and a member of the council of the Royal Society of Victoria. He was a member of the Victorian Coastal Council for seventeen years and was Environment Ambassador to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

He is also the Patron of the Geography Teachers Association of Victoria, Wildlife Victoria, and Life Education Victoria. He is a Life Ambassador for Australia Day.

On Australia Day 2014 Rob was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to conservation, to the protection of coastal and marine environments, and to the community.

Within this conversation, you'll find a tonne of business ideas and opportunities. The world is changing quickly, we have crossed the cost barrier for many sustainable solutions, society is embracing the sustainable approach and businesses are investing to protect their brands and to save money.

During this chat, we covered:

• global warning
• building products creating large carbon footprints and the somewhat surprising products that will likely replace them
• many sustainable technologies including electric and hydrogen-powered cars
• making money and reducing waste
• sustainability in relation to becoming an employer of choice
• examples of businesses and towns embracing new technologies like the use of hydrogen gas
• making correct sustainable and environmental choices
• the opportunity for new business
• presenting television weather and, as always,
• much more

To connect with Rob head to rethinksustainability.com.au, his Twitter handle is @robgell and you'll find him pretty easily using the search function on both Facebook and LinkedIn.

If you enjoy Trench Talk, please remember to hit the subscribe button inside your chosen podcast player, more episodes can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast

Enjoy Trench Talk Episode #056 with Rob Gell…

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Show notes and links for this episode can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast.

Feel free to email me with any suggestions or feedback to [email protected].

You can find Matt Reynolds on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on LinkedIn.

Tristan White is the Founder and CEO at The Physio Co, a unique healthcare business that, in 2014, ranked No. 1 on BRW's list of Australia's 50 Best Places to Work. The Physio Co has ranked as one of Australia's 50 Best Places to Work for ten consecutive years (2009-2018) along with being one of the Best Workplaces in Asia from 2015-2018.

In 2004, The Physio Co was born with just one team member, Tristan himself. Today in 2019, The Physio Co has over 150 employees which has been built on the back of Tristan's obsession with company culture. His book "Culture is Everything" is a best seller on Amazon. His "Culture is Everything" blog has been listed multiple times by SmartCompany as one of Australia's 20 best business blogs. And amongst many other awards, The Physio Co has been listed on BRW's Fast 100 as one of Australia's fastest growing SME's.

During this chat, we covered:

• how Tristan thinks about culture
• some of the secrets to a great culture, including the reasons why documentation is so important
• The Physio Co's business structure and how the team (which is now spread across Australia) communicates effectively
• what the first day looks like for new employees at The Physio Co
• Tristan's own leadership style
• some of the challenges of building a large company including the event that lead to Tristan filling his diesel powered car with unleaded fuel, and
• how Tristan learns

To connect with or learn more about Tristan, head to tristanwhite.com.au.

If you enjoy Trench Talk, please remember to hit the subscribe button inside your chosen podcast player, more episodes can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast

Enjoy Trench Talk Episode #055 with Tristan White…

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Show notes and links for this episode can be found at xrm.com.au/podcast.

Feel free to email me with any suggestions or feedback to [email protected].

You can find Matt Reynolds on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on LinkedIn.