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 CEOs, founders, management, shareholders and leadership. If you want to say hello or for guest enquiries, please contact emily@thecontentplace.co.nz
Episodes
Thursday Nov 19, 2020
Thursday Nov 19, 2020
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_
Sunday Nov 15, 2020
Sunday Nov 15, 2020
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.
Thursday Nov 12, 2020
Thursday Nov 12, 2020
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
Sunday Nov 08, 2020
Sunday Nov 08, 2020
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.
Tuesday Nov 03, 2020
Tuesday Nov 03, 2020
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_
Monday Nov 02, 2020
Monday Nov 02, 2020
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.