Inner Chief Podcast

In this Best of Series episode, we hear from the aspirational Geoff Lloyd, former CEO of MLC Australia and Perpetual Limited, on being a guide not a guru, clarity and focus, and having curiosity in your life. chiefmaker.com/241 LAST CHANCE! REGISTER FOR OUR JULY MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/miniMBA We interviewed Geoff in early 2018 when he was the CEO of Perpetual Limited, a position he had held since 2012. Later that year he went on to become the CEO of MLC Australia, which was formerly a subsidiary of National Australia Bank and one of Australia’s largest wealth management companies. Geoff joined Perpetual in August 2010 as a Group Executive tasked with leading the development and implementation of their growth strategy. He was previously a General Manager at BT Financial Group following the Westpac Group merger with St.George Bank, and held many senior positions during his career, including Chief Legal Counsel. Geoff was also the Chairman of the Financial Services Council and an Advisory board member o

“As an industry, we are stopping women from working in all levels of society by our six-day working week. And that's not okay.” In this episode of The Inner Chief podcast, you’ll hear from construction industry game-changer, Alison Mirams, CEO of Roberts Co, on transforming an industry and leaving a legacy by putting workers and their families at the heart of your business. chiefmaker.com/240 REGISTER FOR OUR JULY MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/minimba Alison has more than twenty years’ experience in the construction sector. In 2017, after successfully operating in executive roles at both Brookfield Multiplex and Lendlease, Alison became the CEO of boutique tier one construction firm, Roberts Co. Alison also sits on the Boards of TAFE NSW and AeroPM, and has an engineering degree from the University of Technology Sydney. In this episode we talk about: Leading from the front and changing an entire industry through promotion of a 5-day working week; How this change impacts families, but also addresses huge g

“I can’t tell you the number of Mini-MBA graduates who have taken action on low performers or toxic high performers and it has made a fundamental difference to everyone’s lives.”   In today’s minisode, we cover some of the main reasons why graduates of the Chief Maker Mini-MBA program decide to join a cohort and the main benefits they get from it. chiefmaker.com/239 REGISTER FOR OUR JULY MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/minimba One of the most common reasons why people take up the Chief Maker Mini-MBA is one that I hear repeatedly before we kick off the sessions, and that is, “How do I work at level? How do I work in a leadership capacity, on strategy, and with the executive team and really add value to the organisation?” So, today we’re going to talk about: Stopping to look up at the broader market trends and other external factors; How to do an organisational analysis and deal with the wrong people on the bus; and Building your strategic playbook so that you can deliver on your track record.   Stay epic,

In this episode of The Inner Chief podcast, you’ll hear from Daniel Penny, Co-Founder and MD of Mustard Creative Agency, on going beyond the brief, working with agencies, and understanding your influence. chiefmaker.com/238 REGISTER FOR OUR JULY MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/minimba Daniel co-founded Mustard Creative Agency in 2001 with his business partner. The agency has worked with well-known brands like Target, Hertz, Hisense, Coles and The Good Guys. Daniel is also the founder of LearnSpring, an online learning digital platform. In this episode we talk about: Starting a marketing and creative agency from scratch and how word-of-mouth recommendations have fuelled the business since launching; Why responding to a brief beyond what is requested is the best outcome for a client; Leading an organisation of humans and understanding your influence; and His core principles in driving employee and client engagement. Connecting with Daniel Penny You can connect with Daniel via LinkedIn Books and resources Al

In this Best of Series episode, we hear from Angela Buglass, former CEO of Trilogy International, on creating your own destiny, cross-functional experience, and being at the pinnacle of a listed company. chiefmaker.com/237 REGISTER FOR OUR JULY MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/miniMBA We interviewed Angela in early 2018 when she was the CEO of Trilogy International, the parent company for popular consumer brands across such categories as skincare and luxury home fragrance products. She is currently the MD of Hello in New Zealand, a women’s health brand, while also serving as the Chair of Cosmetics New Zealand and sitting on the board of The Beauty Collective. After just over 3 years at Trilogy, Angela went on to become CEO of Antipodes Water. Her experience also includes roles with leading FMCG players Procter & Gamble, L’Oréal and Estée Lauder, and these roles have taken her all around the world. In this episode, you’re going to hear Angela talk about: How gaining a variety of experience at smaller organ

In this episode of The Inner Chief podcast, I chat to Jay Bonaretti, Founder & CEO of Amino Z, on ownership over victimhood, being in competition with yourself, and distributed leadership. chiefmaker.com/236 REGISTER FOR OUR JULY MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/minimba Jay is the Founder and CEO of Amino Z, an Australian manufacturer and retailer of nutritional products and supplements. He founded the business in 2006 as a one-man organisation and continues to be at the helm of a now large workforce, servicing hundreds of thousands of customers. Jay is incredibly vulnerable about his childhood battle with chronic fatigue syndrome, a situation that led him to depression and isolation, but ultimately to recovery. He is also the author of “How to Transform the Average Joe in 12 Weeks”. In this episode we talk about: Being bed-ridden for 9 months to winning Australia’s BodyBlitz Challenge a few years later; Why your physical capability is based on your mental capability, regardless of age; Surrounding yours

“The research says it takes one and a half years for us to really be fully valuable to a mid- to large-sized organisation. But there are ways to cut that period down.” In today’s minisode, we have a question from one of our listeners, Louise, who asks about returning to work and how to get back into the swing of things after a long break. chiefmaker.com/235 REGISTER FOR OUR JULY MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/minimba We’re going to talk about: Understanding how your life has changed since you were last at work; Why the success markers are different in your life and how to be kinder to yourself; and How to craft 30, 60, 90 day plans and weave in continuous learning. Stay epic, Greg

In this episode of The Inner Chief podcast, you’ll hear from Dean Salakas, CEO of The Party People, on seeing change as an opportunity, coping with growth, and evolving as a leader. chiefmaker.com/234 REGISTER FOR OUR JULY MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/minimba Dean is the Chief Party Dude of The Party People, a business he and his brother bought from their mother in 2007. Before taking on the ownership, Dean and his brother worked in the business in various positions, from driver to retail assistant to website manager. Dean is now an accomplished speaker, a Board member of both eTail Australia and Online Retail Summit. He has also pitched The Party People to the investment TV show, Shark Tank. In this episode we talk about: The full background to him and his brother buying The Party People from his mother; Being the first Google and Bing customers, and leading the business to triple digit growth, and all the challenges that brought; How he developed a culture that change is an opportunity; and How the bus

In this Best of Series episode, we hear from Greg Steele, Global President of Arcadis Mobility, on the importance of broad experience, bringing people with you and dealing with difficult issues. chiefmaker.com/233 REGISTER FOR OUR JULY MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/miniMBA We interviewed Greg in late 2017 when he was the CEO of the Asia Pacific business of Arcadis, one of the world's largest professional service consultancy firms with over 28,000 people in 70 countries. Greg has nearly 40 years' experience as an engineer and manager, having been involved at a leadership level for some of Australia's largest and most complex infrastructure projects. He is also the Chair of Engineering Aid Australia, a not for profit organisation which strives to inspire indigenous Australians to become engineers. He has also been a Board Member of Roads Australia, and an MD of Hyder Consulting. Greg has a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Queensland and also a PostGrad Diploma in Management from Deakin Unive

In this episode of The Inner Chief podcast, you’ll hear from Brigit Esselmont, Founder & CEO of Biddy Tarot on executive intuition, busting the myths of tarot, and from zero to 7 figures. chiefmaker.com/232 REGISTER FOR OUR SEPTEMBER MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/minimba Brigit is the Founder & CEO of Biddy Tarot the world’s leading online learning community for people who read Tarot. She is the best-selling author of Everyday Tarot and is on a mission to bring Tarot out of the closet and into the mainstream. Brigit has been featured in Huffington Post, The Oprah Magazine, and appeared on numerous podcasts including Being Boss and Truth Telling, and has appeared on stage in front of live audiences across the US and Australia. Before diving full-time into Biddy Tarot, Brigit was a management consultant and human resource strategist at organisations such as Telstra and ANZ. In this episode we talk about: Busting the myths around tarot, and what it actually is; Executive intuition and how elite chief

“People overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in 10.” In today’s minisode, we have a question from one of our listeners, Ben, who asks how he can really nail a year and achieve all or most of his goals. chiefmaker.com/231 LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR OUR APRIL MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/minimba We’re going to talk about: The visioning process and timing of check-ins; Managing time and energy to fit in with your busy life; The value of structured thinking time. Stay epic, Greg

In this episode of The Inner Chief podcast, you’ll hear from Izzy Silva, MD, APAC at Wolters Kluwer, on using EQ to good effect, making the vision visible, and data-led decision-making. chiefmaker.com/230 LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR OUR APRIL MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/minimba Izzy was born in Sri Lanka, moved to New Zealand when he was 9 but has called Australia home for the last 25 years. He is currently the MD in the APAC region of Wolters Kluwer, a global information services and solutions provider focusing on health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. Since graduating from Monash University with a Bachelor of Information Management & Systems, Izzy’s career has seen him take on roles at well-known organisations such as HP, Deloitte Australia, Telstra and Equifax. His first CEO role came at GetCreditScore, a start-up based in Sydney. He has been at Wolters Kluwer APAC for nearly 4 years, having been promoted to MD from Chief Commercial Officer in late 2018. In thi

“Life’s too short for instant coffee and cheap shoes.” In this Best of Series episode, we hear from former CEO of Water Corporation, Sue Murphy, on leading transformation, and how to be honest, fun and make a difference in your work. chiefmaker.com/229 REGISTER FOR OUR APRIL MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/miniMBA We interviewed Sue back in November 2017, when she was the CEO of Water Corporation in Perth, having led the organisation since 2008. Sue finished up there in 2018, having joined Water Corp as the GM of Planning & Infrastructure in 2004. Preceding this was a 25 year stint at Clough Engineering, where she started as a scholarship recipient after completing an Engineering degree from the University of Western Australia, where she was one of only two women out of 300 students. Sue is now an accomplished Director. She has sat on the board of The Fremantle Dockers and the Water Services Association of Australia, and currently is a Director of the West Australian Treasury Corporation and MMA Offshore

In this episode of The Inner Chief podcast, you’ll hear from Alison Gaines, MD & Founder of Gaines Advisory, on hiring great executives, becoming an NED, and characteristics of successful boards. chiefmaker.com/228 REGISTER FOR OUR APRIL MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/minimba Alison founded Gaines Advisory in 2020 to provide a unique board search and board advisory service, while also specialising in the provision of strategic support to leaders to develop and implement their corporate strategy. She currently sits on the board of Blackstone Minerals (we had their MD, Scott Williamson on the show in episode 222), Tura New Music Ltd, is the Chair of Hiremii recruitment, and is the Governor of the College of Law Ltd. She is also the independent Chair of the Nominations Committee of Hockey Australia and member of the Nominations Committee of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (WA). Alison was Global CEO and Head of the Board Practice for international boutique search firm, Gerard Daniels, for nea

In today’s minisode, I am going to share my top 10 tips for running an executive retreat or a strategic offsite. chiefmaker.com/227 LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR OUR APRIL MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/minimba We’re going to talk about: What to do if you don’t have a budget for bringing in a facilitator or coach; How to define an agenda that measures the success of the event; Ensuring follow-up tasks are absorbed into your operating rhythm.   Stay epic, Greg

In this episode of The Inner Chief podcast, you’ll hear from Nickie Scriven, CEO of Zenith Media Australia, on leaning into challenges, responding not reacting, and sonic branding. chiefmaker.com/226 REGISTER FOR OUR APRIL MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/minimba Nickie has had a tremendous career in marketing, advertising and media. Before moving into agency leadership, she spent eight years on the client side, holding marketing and sales leadership roles for the likes of AustralianSuper, NAB and News Corp, as well as running her own consultancy. She joined Zenith Media in Melbourne as Managing Director in October 2014, and within two years was promoted to Australia CEO. She has been instrumental in helping Zenith achieve global account wins like Disney and TikTok, while guiding the agency through the pandemic, achieving consecutive year-on-year double-digit revenue growth. Nickie is also an accomplished triathlete, having competed internationally for Australia. In this episode we talk about: Leaning into c

In this Best of Series episode, we hear from former Wallaby rugby player Daniel Herbert, CEO of SSKB on what executives can learn from elite sport, what made him stand out from the pack and how to be indispensable to an organisation. chiefmaker.com/225 REGISTER FOR OUR APRIL MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/miniMBA Daniel played 67 tests for the Wallabies, Australia’s national rugby union team. He was a part of the glory era of Australian rugby, winning the Rugby World Cup in 1999, the Bledisloe Cup contested between Australia and New Zealand, and also beating the British and Irish Lions in 2001, a series that Wallaby players only contest every 12 years.  He also captained the Queensland Reds and was World Player of the Year in 1999. In short, he is an Australian sporting great. Since retiring from rugby, Daniel has gone onto a successful corporate career, having been involved on the commercial side of sportswear brand Skins and the Queensland Reds, and is now the CEO of property services firm, SSKB. In this e

In this episode of The Inner Chief podcast, you’ll hear from Ben Simon, Partner at Rose Partners, on diffusing heated negotiations, identifying red flags during a deal, and managing founders. chiefmaker.com/224 REGISTER FOR OUR APRIL MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/minimba Ben has spent his entire career at Rose Partners, and has worked his way up to become a Partner at the professional services firm. His specialties are in Business Advisory, Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Valuations, Tax and structuring, and Large business transaction and he has performed these duties across many industries. This is critical for all executives to understand strategy and getting ahead. As a testimony to his wealth of knowledge, Ben has also been asked to sit on several clients’ advisory boards. In this episode we talk about: The role of an advisor and bringing transacting parties together; What a good advisory team looks like; Identifying red flags during the deal process; and Managing founders after a sale. Connecti

We have a question from one of our listeners, Charlotte from Liverpool in the UK, and she asks whether work-life balance is actually possible, especially in the top jobs. chiefmaker.com/223 REGISTER FOR OUR APRIL MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/minimba We’re going to talk about: Understanding what work-life balance is and how to measure it; Having a mindset of a life of different chapters; Some tools to get work-life balance. Stay epic, Greg

In this episode of The Inner Chief podcast, you’ll hear from Scott Williamson, MD of Blackstone Minerals, on the CEO-Chair relationship, taking career risks, and injecting fun into business. chiefmaker.com/222 REGISTER FOR OUR APRIL MINI-MBA INTAKE: chiefmaker.com/minimba Scott has been the Managing Director of Blackstone Minerals for 4 and a half years, and has extensive experience in the mining & metals industry over a 20 year career. He graduated from the West Australian School of Mines and Curtin University of Technology and also holds a WA First Class Mine Manager’s Certificate and is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. In this episode we talk about: The cyclical nature of the mining industry and how he was often in and out of jobs; The role of the Chairperson and their relationship with the CEO; Taking risks in your career to get ahead, and then becoming a CEO for the first time; The fun side of business; and What the future holds for the mining industry. Connecting w