The C-Suite Spot: Recent Episodes
Alexander PR
Leaders. What keeps you up at night? Welcome to the C-Suite Spot, the podcast series that expands the traditional term of what a ‘boss’ is to tackle some of the most important issues in business from start-up, through step-up, succession planning and scaling a corporate or global business.
Leadership can be lonely. In this series we talk with and learn from inspiring leaders from all walks of life, touching on important topics about how to really live, successful business strategies, overcoming challenges, managing an issue or crisis, getting your company structure right and implementing well, making the tough calls, balancing life and work and getting our priorities right.
From business as usual and growing your market to everyday leadership issues or handling 100-year events and everything in between – we aim to provide ongoing inspiration and education and a meeting place for CEO’s, founders, management, shareholders and leadership.
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?
- How to stay calm…or, help clients to retain some sense of calm in the storm?
- What role does media training play in times of crisis?
- What can Leaders and Boards do to ensure their risk mitigation strategy is ready to roll at a moments’ notice?
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.
- What Directors can do to upskill themselves to become more effective in their roles.
- Strategies to prepare for and manage issues and crises.
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
- Branching out to factor in sustainability and cost-effectiveness
- Looking after staff
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
- The difference in sustainability measures for workspaces in New Zealand versus the world
- Learnings and crystal-ball predictions of what the future workspace will – and must – look like
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:
- Office utilisation in NZ post pandemic https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/property/128545446/20-occupied-huge-drop-in-use-of-office-space-nationwide
- 5 work personas of Mckinsey https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/the-great-attrition-is-making-hiring-harder-are-you-searching-the-right-talent-pools?cid=other-eml-onp-mip-mck&hlkid=c1b857aba7e24e7aa31667cbad43a726&hctky=11820426&hdpid=e0a2bfed-0978-4652-baf2-249614f00d43
- The cost of wasted space https://www.studiodb.co.nz/news/the-cost-of-wasted-space#:~:text=Total%3A%20%241%2C020per%20sqm%20per%20year%20or%20%2415%2C300%20per%20headcount%20per%20year
- Athens chief heat officer https://www.dw.com/en/meet-athens-first-chief-heat-officer/av-62751312
- Office values will drop https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/office-markets-are-the-real-estate-crash-we-need-to-worry-about/2022/09/27/268b53aa-3e50-11ed-8c6e-9386bd7cd826_story.html
- Diversity in workforce requirement and desires relating to the office, The Economist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlQ_4604Xfg – minutes 4:30 to 7 on hybrid work
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;
- What sound baths are and the science behind how they work;
- A short breathing exercise you can do right now to help you calm a busy mind and think more clearly.
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.
Fuscus is one of the nation’s leading crisis communications experts and has worked on major national and international crises for almost 30 years. In 2021, an all-journalist jury for the Best in Biz Awards selected him as the Crisis Executive of the Year.
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/
15 – Crisis management, Governance and the role of a Director in 2021 and beyond. Laura Air and Emily Svadlenak talk with Kirsten Patterson, Chief Executive of the Institute of Directors and get her take on some of the biggest trends in Governance and how Directors can be prepared for anything.
Please remember to like, subscribe and share this episode if you liked it!
About our guest: Kirsten Patterson (KP), Chief Executive of the Institute of Directors
KP is a qualified lawyer and a Distinguished Fellow of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand, Co-deputy Chair of the Global Network of Directors Institutes (GNDI), Chair of the Brian Picot Ethical Leadership advisory board and was previously Chair of the Wellington Homeless Women’s Trust. With extensive governance and leadership experience, she is actively involved in community initiatives.
A strong advocate of diversity, KP was also a founding member of Global Women’s ‘Champions for Change’, a group of senior executives and directors who commit to diversity in the workplace, and a founding member of WiSPA, an organisation promoting women in sport, and mentors a number of business leaders. She is also on the board for Voices for Hope, an organisation aimed at breaking the stigma around mental illness.
To follow the journey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattersonkirsten/
Website: https://www.iod.org.nz/#
Alexander PR Instagram: @alexanderpr_
www.companycrisis.co.nz
14 – What does ‘Economic Darwinism’ have to do with change management? In this episode Emily Svadlenak speaks to Chris Buckell, a Business Improvement and Change Management Professional, about just that. Chris explains how organisations should go about change if they want to succeed. Please remember to like, subscribe and share this episode if you liked it!
About our guest: Chris Buckell
Chris is a Continuous Improvement professional from the UK with a broad range of experience in public sector, service and engineering organisations; including roles at the Ministry of Justice in the UK, Maritime New Zealand and Waikato District Health Board, and is currently as a Business Improvement Facilitator in the defence sector.
Chris' research draws on organisational learning theory in attaining sustained change outcomes through the evaluation of paradigms and behaviours. As a recognised thought leader in Continuous Improvement, Chris regularly speaks at professional conferences and lectures at University of Warwick in his spare time.
To follow the journey:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chris-buckell-411533142/
Email Chris to talk about his research or your questions at cwrbuckell@gmail.com
13 – In this episode Tristram Clayton talks with Marty Verry, CEO of Red Stag Timber in Rotorua, New Zealand and the Southern Hemisphere’s largest sawmill.
Marty describes how he turned a struggling publicly owned mill into a thriving export business that produces over 600-thousand cubic metres of timber annually and supplies 25 percent of the NZ framing market.
He also discusses the government’s One Billion Tree programme, how a ‘wood first’ policy could help the economy and our climate change obligations as well as the impact of prefabrication and cross-laminated timber on New Zealand’s housing shortage.
About our guest:
Marty Verry is the chief executive of the Red Stag group which invests in forestry, wood processing, pre-fabrication, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and property development.
The company supplies 25% of the structural timber market in New Zealand, has revenues in excess of $250m, 400+ staff and exports around 40% of its produce to Australia, Asia, Middle East, South Africa and the Pacific Islands.
Marty is one of the country’s leading proponents of a ‘Wood First’ policy as a way of helping New Zealand’s economy, climate change objectives and housing shortage. He appears regularly in print and broadcast media and assisting and advising government, building officials, developers and construction firms.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/marty-verry-772a08/?originalSubdomain=nz
Website: https://www.redstagtimber.co.nz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RedStagTimber
12 – Is plant-based nutrition a threat or opportunity for the dairy industry? How do you measure the success of global marketing efforts? And how can a dairy giant Fonterra stay relevant across the globe? Find out in today’s episode as Emily Svadlenak speaks to Rob Lilly, Fonterra’s Head of Global Marketing & Communications for the Sports & Active Lifestyle business.
About our guest: Rob Lilly
Rob is a New Zealander and Otago University Alumni. He kickstarted his professional career in the tourism industry marketing Auckland as a destination, before moving on to marketing roles in a variety of industries based in Auckland.
Joining Fonterra 10 years ago, the majority of his time with New Zealand’s largest company and leading dairy nutrition business has been spent in its overseas markets where he has taken on various regional and global marketing roles in Amsterdam, Chicago and now Singapore where he currently lives.
In his current role as Head of Global Marketing & Communications for Fonterra’s Sports & Active Lifestyle (S&AL) business, Rob oversees the marketing ecosystem and strategy implementation for S&AL across Fonterra’s global business regions (AMENA, APAC & Greater China). His team’s focus is on marketing value-add, advanced nutrition solutions to B2B customers. These solutions address a range of current and emerging consumer health needs, including physical performance, mental wellbeing and immunity.
To follow the journey:
Instagram: @nzmp_sureprotein
YouTube: nzmp
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nzmp/
Website: https://www.nzmp.com/global/en.html
Fonterra: https://www.fonterra.com/nz/en.html
In this episode:
11 - How do you break down barriers and improve workplace culture to lift productivity? How can leaders build great teams? Renee Benrubi shares how and why she made a career out of helping executives and their teams perform better – and the learnings bosses can take from that journey.
If you enjoy this chat, please like, rate and subscribe to the C-Suite Spot to stay up-to-date with all our episodes.
About our guest: Renee Benrubi
Renee Benrubi, originally from New York and now based in Los Angeles, has spent the majority of her career working as an executive coach. Renee works with leaders, owners and individuals, helping them to create positive working environments and reach their potential both professionally and personally.
She believes that self-awareness and connectivity among family and staff is important in order to diffuse emotional and volatile situations, and bring teams together to produce outstanding results for the business and its customers. As an executive coach, Renee works with businesses across the globe to realise their potential.
To connect with Renee:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-benrubi/
Email: renee.benrubi@gmail.com
In this episode:
10 – In today’s episode, Emily Svadlenak speaks to Brianne West, the founder and CEO of Ethique. From big picture conscious consumerism and sustainability, to how her role has changed as Ethique grows globally, listen in as Brianne shares her views on the journey so far and what the future holds.
About our guest: Brianne West
Brianne West is a New Zealand entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Ethique, the world’s most sustainable lifestyle and beauty brand. Ethique has, to date, prevented the manufacture and disposal of over 8 million plastic bottles worldwide.
Having previously founded and sold two other companies, Brianne’s passion for environmental conservation, background in cosmetic chemistry and desire to create a business that went beyond just profit led her to establish Ethique with the mission of ridding the world of plastic bottles. Instead, Ethique products a range of solid beauty bars (not soap), wrapped in compostable cardboard packaging. After just eight years of trading, Ethique is now distributed in over 16 countries around the globe and is valued in excess of $100 million.
Recognised as one of New Zealand’s most successful social enterprises, Ethique has scaled rapidly without compromising on her core mission of purpose over profit. Every bar is still made using only sustainable, certified vegan, cruelty-free and palm oil-free ingredients and wrapped in certified compostable packaging. Ethique is New Zealand’s highest ranking BCorp, living wage certified, carbon positive, plants one tree for every order and donates 20% of annual profits to charity. Ethique’s Super Soap Project has donated 30,000 bars of soap since 21st of April 2020 to vulnerable communities across New Zealand and the South Pacific in response to COVID-19.
Brianne’s success with Ethique has seen her awarded as the EY Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Stuff NZ Women of Influence (business enterprise) and be named as an Obama Foundation Leader.
Ecologi: https://ecologi.com/
To follow Ethique’s journey:
Instagram: @ethiqueworld
Website: https://ethiqueworld.com/
Brianne’s Instagram: @briannemwest
9 - In this episode of the podcast Tristram Clayton talks with Simon Coley, the creative brain behind some of New Zealand’s fastest growing companies including Powershop, All Good and Karma Drinks.
Simon describes how relevancy and purpose have been critical in seeing Karma Drinks grow from an Auckland workshop into a global brand.
He discusses why ‘giving back’ and staying ethical has helped, rather than hindered, this business success.
Simon also talks about the importance of design and story-telling and how to survive in a COVID world.
About our guest:
The creative brains behind the Karma Cola brand, Simon Coley cut his teeth working as a graphic designer and creative director for organisations ranging from Greenpeace to The Economist.
He was responsible for successfully bringing the first Fairtrade bananas to New Zealand under the All Good brand, which was twice named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies and in 2014 won the title World's Fairest Trader.
Before co-founding All Good and Karma Cola with brothers Chris and Matt Morrison, Simon worked at NZ Trade & Enterprise helping Kiwi companies gain a competitive design edge for marketing off-shore, was the Marketing Director for 42 Below Vodka and co-founded online power company Powershop.
all-good.co.nz
karmadrinks.co.nz
When Bauer announced that it was bringing its operations to an end, Sido was faced with a choice. She chose action after a brief moment of inertia. We can all learn from Sido as we face personal and career challenges.
From being the editorial director of New Zealand’s legendary women magazines to launching four brand new titles, Woman, Thrive, Haven and Scout. She is someone who has demonstrated personal leadership at a time when the media industry is at risk.
Listen as she explains key personal defining moments that changed the trajectory for the New Zealand magazine industry. Plus, she recounts significant moments that required oodles of strength and courage and the surprising phone call from Sinead Boucher – the new owner of Stuff.co.nz.
We also cover in this episode :
- Her School Road Publishing deal and the four new magazine titles.
- The moments leading up to and after Woman magazine was published, her journey into journalism, and how technology has impacted the stories they report on.
- How she handled the stress involved in moving on from a high profile role at a major media outlet
- How her new venture has been supported by the whole New Zealand media industry
You can follow Sido on https://www.instagram.com/sidokitchin/?hl=en
Dr Chris Galloway: Practical frameworks and ideas on how to plan for, execute and respond during a company crisis
In this episode we chat with Dr Chris Galloway to offer useful tips on some of the most-asked questions we receive when it comes to company issues, crises and risk.
Chris is an internationally recognised scholar and commentator on issue management and risk and crisis communication. His interests include reputation management and reputation risk, topics on which he runs workshops for the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand. Chris is an occasional media analyst in both print and broadcast media, and a contributor to www.companycrisis.co.nz.
We often have founders, c-suite, board members and chairpersons request help for company issues and crises. To help answer some of the most common questions, Chris and Dwayne Alexander, Global Practice Leader at Alexander PR, sat down for a chat.
Topics we cover in this episode include:
- The “golden hour” has shrunk to minutes – implications for leaders;
- What is a risk matrix for boards?
- What CEOs have learned through Covid-19 and can apply for 2021;
- EQ, intuition, confirmation bias and board behaviour;
- The importance of monitoring systems and having environmental scanning in place;
- A framework of five different response strategies leaders and organisations tend to choose;
- The concept and implementation of a “ready response team”;
- Planning for and communicating during and after a crisis;
- What to do immediately after stepping into the “hot chair”.
If you enjoyed this chat, please make sure to like, rate and subscribe to the c-Suite Spot to stay up-to-date with all our episodes.
You can also follow us on
Instagram: @alexanderpr_
Facebook: @teamalexanderpr
LinkedIn: https://tinyurl.com/y5rzndht
What does youth-led philanthropy look like in New Zealand? How do you become more than the labels others put on you? Is it possible to look after our mental wellbeing while also being a high-performing go-getter? In our last episode for 2020, Emily Svadlenak speaks with Gemma Major to explore some of the big questions of work, life and balance.
If you enjoy this chat, please make sure to like, rate and subscribe to the c-Suite Spot to stay up-to-date with all our episodes.
Our podcast will be back in early 2021. If you have any See you then!
About our guest: Gemma Major
Gemma is passionate about enhancing youth wellbeing through youth-led change. Her current mission is to enable holistic, integrative, and long-term regenerative change with young people that is inevitably impacts wider communities. Seed Waikato is her current vehicle for this, an organisation she co-founded in 2017. They create community-based experiential education opportunities, facilitate community connection, and support greater youth contribution.
She is also passionate about re-defining philanthropy in Aotearoa to foster greater inclusion, innovation, and disruption from young people, and is a Board member of Philanthropy New Zealand.
Gemma was part of the founding team at Momentum Waikato, the region’s community foundation. In the four years she worked for the foundation, she developed a heart for strategic philanthropy, developing services for donors, strategies to grow the fund, and launched Waikato Vital Signs.
To follow Gemma’s journey:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mywellbeingproject
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-major-0681184a/
To connect with Seed Waikato:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeedWaikato/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seedwaikato/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seed-waikato/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCivWOKQPqFqEKqcOI-xs7mQ?view_as=subscriber
In this episode we speak with professional athlete and business owner Dwayne Rowsell to discuss physical and mental wellbeing as a leader.
We also cover:
- The challenges of being a successful sports person and running your own business.
- Why a holistic approach to wellbeing is important for everyone.
- Go-to-tips to bring in more balance to a busy schedule.
We hope you enjoy this chat with Emily Svadlenak and Dwayne Rowsell! Make sure to like, rate and subscribe to the C-Suite Spot to stay up-to-date with all our episodes.
About our guest, Dwayne Rowsell:
Dwayne Rowsell is a professional Black Sticks Men’s hockey player, certified personal trainer and co-founder of Studio Box, a boxing-inspired group fitness studio.
He is an advocate for physical and emotional wellbeing and, having spent most of his life playing sports in New Zealand and overseas, started Studio Box to share his experience and passion for fitness, health and wellbeing with likeminded people.
In addition to running a successful business and playing professional hockey, Dwayne is also currently training for the Tokyo Olympics.
Useful links
StudioBox Instagram: @_studiobox
Dwayne’s Instagram: @dwaynerowsell
Alexander PR Instagram: @alexanderpr_
In this episode we explore the secret to global success of Kiwi fitness company Les Mills and how they aim to create a fitter planet through their group fitness classes, which are offered around the world.
We chat with creative director Kylie Gates who shares with us what she personally attributes Les Mills’ global success to and what makes up the winning formula for their success. We also cover:
- Kylie’s journey in the fitness industry and how she has managed to become an icon in the group fitness space;
- What has made Les Mills a global success;
- Kylie also explains Les Mills’ Advanced Training she has developed and what’s next for the future of the fitness industry; and
- Work-life balance when you are working in the fitness industry.
We hope you enjoy this chat with Lochan Trivedi and Kylie Gates! Make sure to like, rate and subscribe to the C-Suite Spot to stay up-to-date with all our episodes.
About our guest: Kylie Gates
Les Mills Creative Director, Kylie works closely with Les Mills’ Program Directors to shape and develop the music and moves that feature in the new releases, which are created every three months. Kylie also has a key role as BODYPUMP Head Program Coach, which means she mentors and inspires instructors and presenters to reach their full potential. This passion for ongoing education and development also led Kylie to be part of the team to develop Les Mills’ new Advanced Training for instructors.
In this episode we dive into the world of ethical AI technology, business authenticity and forging the path towards the future of work and life.
We start off with a brief introduction to our guest of the day, Rachel Kelly, and her mission for the tech space in New Zealand. We also cover:
- The ‘Unmasked Executive’ series and what it means to trust your authentic voice.
- Rachel’s vision of the future and her role in it.
- What work-life-balance looks like for a leader.
- What a key aspect of the future of work is, and what needs to be done to get there.
We hope you enjoy this chat with Emily Svadlenak and Rachel Kelly! If you like this episode please like, rate and subscribe to the c-Suite Spot to stay up-to-date with all our episodes.
Note: at the time of our chat with Rachel, she was at Gallagher Security. She has since started a new chapter on her healthy AI technology journey.
About our guest: Rachel Kelly
Rachel Kelly is an ex-scientist, strategist, high-tech product developer, and commercialisation professional who has spent the last 19 years in the science and technology sector. After spending 9 years in California working within biotechnology and high-tech manufacturing, she returned to New Zealand in 2014 and has since been heavily involved with stimulating the regional and national technology ecosystem. Rachel has worked with award-winning and innovative tech startups including CoHired and Nyriad, co-created a world class Enterprise Product House at Gallagher Security as Chief Product Officer, and offers product and tech advisory to a number of high-value NZ tech startups currently in stealth mode.
She is a co-founder of the Waikato technology cluster, former Deputy Chair of NZTech, and is also an elected member on the New Zealand AI Forum Executive Council and a ministerial advisor on the Digital Council of New Zealand.
Follow Rachel’s journey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/unmasked-executive-chapter-0-rachel-kelly/
Medium: https://medium.com/@unmaskedexecutive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unmaskedexecutive
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmaskedexecutive/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/unmaskedexec
AI Organisations mentioned
Partnership on AI: https://www.partnershiponai.org/
NZ AI Forum: https://aiforum.org.nz/
ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 42 “Artificial Intelligence” Committee: https://www.iso.org/committee/6794475.html
Other resources mentioned:
Taylored Health and Performance: https://tayloredhealth.co.nz/
OKR Model (Objectives, Key Results): https://www.whatmatters.com/
Gallup Strengths Finder: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx
Oura ring
In this episode we explore the success story and journey behind Kiwi baker Jordan Rondel, also known as The Caker.
We also cover:
- Her journey into the hospitality industry and some of the struggles she faced while being a young female starting up her own business;
- What sets her cakes apart from others, and her unique ingredients that follow and shape global trends;
- Founders challenges - balancing all the different roles
- Her new venture in Los Angeles and how she managed to pivot her business during COVID;
- What success means for her and some of Jordan’s business heroes.
We hope you enjoy this chat with Lochan Trivedi and Jordan Rondel! If you enjoy this episode please like, rate and subscribe to the C-Suite Spot to stay up-to-date with all our episodes.
About our guest: Jordan Rondel
Jordan Rondel first experienced baking as a young girl while visiting her grandparents in Paris. Years later, a conversation with her father changed her career forever. She is now known in New Zealand as The Caker, owns her own store in Auckland, is the author of four recipe books and has now expanded operations into LA.
https://www.thecaker.co.nz/
In this episode we speak to Steve Nicholson, Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability for Cottonsoft, Sorbent and Solaris Paper in New Zealand and Australia.
Steve has faced many challenges, most recently the demand from consumers and NGOs for evidence of more sustainable practices among large transnational corporations. The task of greater corporate responsibility in this arena (as set for Asia Pulp Paper and its fellow big businesses by the Indonesian government of the day), and the place of certification and CSR among affiliate businesses in developed nations, are issues which Steve has been intimately involved over several years, and he has many tales of battle and triumph to share.
We hope you enjoy this chat with Stephanie Jones, Jemma Crook and Steve Nicholson. Make sure to like, rate and subscribe to the c-Suite Spot to stay up-to-date with all our episodes.
About our guest, Steve Nicholson:
Steve has been with Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) for the past 15 years, currently as Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, with responsibility for affiliates Sorbent, Solaris Paper and Cottonsoft businesses in their respective markets.
Steve embarked on his commercial life in Australia early in life, entering the beverage alcohol industry, where he has spent most of his working life. He worked for Remy and Seagram in senior roles across Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Thailand, the UK and Indo China. Served as CEO of the Australian Seagram operations before selling the regional business to Fosters Breweries in 2000.
Following nearly 40 years in corporate life Steve invested in the aged care business in New Zealand, buying and managing rest home properties, and through an old Seagram colleague was introduced to APP as a consultant in 2002. The consultation was supposed to be for a year but took over his life after convincing APP to acquire the New Zealand Cottonsoft business, as he puts it, and with his increased responsibilities he divested his New Zealand businesses in 2009.
Useful links
Sorbent: https://sorbent.co.nz/
Solaris Paper: https://solarispaper.com.au/
Cottonsoft: https://www.cottonsoft.co.nz/
Asia Pulp and Paper: https://asiapulppaper.com/
Steve’s LinkedIn and email: linkedin.com/in/steve-nicholson-4379ba63 and snicholson47@bigpond.com
Alexander PR Instagram: @alexanderpr_
We outline the first few podcast interviews with business leaders.
From business as usual and growing your market to everyday leadership issues or handling 100-year events and everything in between – we aim to provide ongoing inspiration and education and a meeting place for CEO’s, founders, management, shareholders and leadership.