So what’s in a brand, why do we love them and why do some brands instil an almost religious loyalty in their customers? In this episode Whitney Fitzsimmons speaks to Amy Smith, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer for Toms Shoes which pioneered the one-for-one giving model, about how they changed their strategy and maintained their popularity. 

Whitney also finds out how Heston Blumenthal became a big fan of the meat alternative company Fable and she catches up with brand experts Sudeep Gohil, KPMG Head of Brand Strategy and Tim Duggan, Author of the book Cult Status to hear how to build a brand that people adore. 

Have you ever dreamed of switching careers or looked on at those who do so with envy? Ever wondered why some people cope with changing careers better than others? This episode looks at those people who are able to reinvent themselves successfully time and time again. 

We speak to Eric D'Esposito who’s with KPMG Enterprise about leaving his home on the Isle of Capri, learning to be a commercial pilot and starting a business degree at the age of 39. 

We also catch up with TEDx speaker and Author of the book 'Switchers' Dr Dawn Graham. Check out Dawn’s TEDx speech. 

And we speak to Nick Langton about how he made his successful career leap to start his own business Wimp 2 Warrior. 

Episode links:

https://www.drdawnoncareers.com/switchers-the-book

https://www.ted.com/talks/dawn_graham_your_next_job_is_one_conversation_away

https://wimp2warrior.com 

According to United Nations data the world's population is expected to peak in just 44 years at a level of nearly 11 billion, after that it will start to decline. Increasing life expectancy combined with falling fertility levels will see a number of countries experiencing a reduction in the global population. Many countries will be faced with an aging population and a comparatively smaller young population to support them. 

So what does peak population mean for future generations and what can be done now to try to ameliorate the effects of a declining global population? Join Host Whitney Fitzsimmons as she discusses these topics with Forbes Top 50 Futurist Shara Evans. 

Whitney also talks to KPMG's Urban and Regional Demographer Terry Rawnsley about how societal trends, technology and the way people are consuming are goods is affecting the planet. They cover global consumption and the 'buy local' push. From Portlandia's 'Is this chicken local?' clip, to medical treatment on Star Trek, Blade Runner and test-tube hamburgers it’s an entertaining and illuminating chat.

United Nations data: https://www.un.org/development/desa/en/news/population/world-population-prospects-2019.html

Portlandia's 'Is this chicken local?' clip: https://youtu.be/WAlWrT5P2VI 

Playing the game: The elite mindset and business thinking with Olympic Gold Medallist Matthew Mitcham, Olympian & Hockeyroo Emily Chalker and Commonwealth Games Swimmer Adrian Radley.

As the saying goes it’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game. Although to be honest most of us would prefer winning than perhaps losing. But even when you do end up with an unfavourable result there’s always something to learn and that’s what they call the silver lining.

So what can business leaders learn from elite athletes and the training they hone over years in preparation for competition?

We find out when host Whitney Fitzsimmons speaks to special guests and champion athletes Matthew Mitcham, Emily Chalker and Adrian Radley.

Matthew Mitcham tells Whitney that while achieving a momentous perfect dive and a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics was beyond anything he’d ever imagined, for him he’s proudest of being the first openly gay athlete to compete at an Olympic Games. Watch Matthew’s historic dive.

Whitney also chats to former sports journalist and mindset coach Stuart Doughty who says success is about focus and intent. Stuart believes business leaders can learn a lot from watching and researching how elite athletes train and behave. Read more about Stuart’s take on the Olympic mindset and how it applies to leadership.

And Whitney also catches up with Hockeyroo Emily Chalker who recently returned from competition at the Tokyo Games and Adrian Radley retired Commonwealth Games backstroke swimmer. Both now at KPMG they discuss how elite athletes can successfully make the transition from full time sport and training to the world of business.

It’s no secret that the push for business to embrace gender equality has gained momentum not only in Australia but across the world. Closing the gender pay gap and strengthening childcare policies to encourage equal sharing of care are just some of the initiatives that have gained ground across the Australian business landscape, but despite the progress more can be done. Join Bernard Salt as he discusses these issues with KPMG Chairman Alison Kitchen, KPMG Lead Tax Partner Grant Wardell-Johnson and Corporate Non-Executive Director & former Pacific Brands CEO Sue Morphet. Visit us at KPMG.com/au/WhatHappensNext or get in touch with the show at [email protected]

Looking after the world we live in for future generations is not just important to communities and society at large, but also to business as well. Embedding ESG, or environmental, social and governance principles into a company’s strategy is now a business imperative. Join Bernard Salt as he discusses how companies are adopting ESG into how they do business with Independent Advisor, Michael Gabadou, Adrian King, Partner in Charge, Climate Change and Sustainability, KPMG Australia and Nicolette Boele, Executive Manager, Policy and Standards, Responsible Investment Association Australasia. Visit us at KPMG.com/au/WhatHappensNext or get in touch with the show at [email protected]

For people around the globe and in Australia the notion of aging is a relatively new phenomenon, due to improvements in lifestyle and medical care. But there’s no doubt we face some big challenges in developing positive strategies to help people age well and it’s essential we answer these challenges with innovative ideas and look for opportunities to keep people healthy and happy. Join Bernard Salt as he discusses this with Pat Garcia, CEO of Catholic Health Australia, Nicki Doyle, Partner Health Ageing and Human Services KPMG and Patrick Reid, CEO IRT Group. Visit us at KPMG.com/au/WhatHappensNext or get in touch with the show at [email protected]

The financial services landscape looks fundamentally different to what it did ten years ago. Digital transformation, evolving customer expectations and new entrants into the sector have long been disruptive forces, but COVID-19 has accelerated that speed of change. Join Bernard Salt as he discusses the rapid shifts in the sector with Anna Bligh, CEO, Australian Banking Association, Daniel Knoll, National Lead Partner of Financial Services at KPMG, and Toby Norton-Smith, Managing Director, x-15 ventures. Visit us at KPMG.com/au/WhatHappensNext or get in touch with the show at [email protected]

Kung Hei Fat Choi! It’s Chinese New Year and time to welcome the Year of the Ox. Join Bernard Salt, Helen Zhi Dent from KPMG’s China Business Practice, and Access Corporate Group’s Livia Wang, as they discuss what makes Chinese entrepreneurs tick, how they operate, and what makes them different from other businesses. Bernard is also joined by Robyn Langsford, Partner in Charge of KPMG’s Family & Private Client Practice, to discuss the unique intricacies of family businesses, succession planning and the role these types of companies play in the Australian business landscape. Visit us at KPMG.com/au/WhatHappensNext or get in touch with the show at [email protected]

Bushfires, floods and a pandemic – there’s no doubt that 2020 has been one of the most challenging years on record for Australian communities and businesses. Join Bernard Salt as he discusses the importance of resilience in a time of immense challenge and change with special guests: Shane Fitzsimmons, Commissioner of Resilience NSW and Australian of the Year NSW, Amanda Leck, Executive Director, Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, and Mark Crosweller, Senior Advisor with KPMG and Former Head the National Resilience Taskforce and Director General of Emergency Management Australia. Visit us at KPMG.com/au/WhatHappensNext or get in touch with the show at [email protected]