Ai Group Podcasts

Listen in to get an amazing insight into how one family has gone taken an idea from start-up to international business in just 10 years. Huds & Toke is a pet food company based on the Sunshine Coast, with a great story to tell. Co-founder Russell Gibbons provides a masterclass on the keys to building vertically integrated businesses with complex omni-channels pathways to market. This is a must-listen episode for ALL business managers. It’s a great insight into taking an idea and a market opportunity to a successful business. Podcast host James Scotland does a fascinating deep dive into the business with Russell. They discuss: • The market opportunity, and the owner’s clear-eyed ability to verbalise the target market segment: both domestically and in the U.S. • An insight into the global pet food market and how Huds & Toke adds value to the target sector. • Innovative ways to create and build a brand that accurately reflects the values of the business – including a creative and surprising approach to deci

Today episode is an engaging café style chat with two supply chain specialists: Host James Scotland sits down with his old mate Andy Brightmore for a wandering and endearing chat on all things supply chain. Listen in to hear the two have another of their usual fun and unstructured wanderings through the issues of business and life today. Topics covered this time include: • Why is Andy no longer considered one of the ‘youngest and the brightest’? (It’s a sad story) • Andy’s fascinating multi-industry, multi-national, multi-discipline supply chain career. • Andy and James’ learnings of supply chain management from the covid and post-covid years. • The importance of relationships, resilience, and good people in building sustainable supply chains. • The emerging challenge of a world economy that seems to be turning once again. • The generational differences and what it means for markets and supply chains ( is there one?) • And much more. If you love a good chat, if supply chain and business improvement

Everyone’s favourite CEO returns to the podcast to talk us through the current issue facing the Australian economy, and what impact could they have on business operations. Innes delivers a masterclass in macro-economics covering such as issues as - The upcoming Federal election: when will it be held and who will win. - The latest on the significant changes to Workplace Relations laws, why Ai Group is running an extensive marketing campaign to highlight the issues and what businesses need to do to not get caught out. - Why the conduct of the CFMEU is unacceptable, why Ai Group’s has strongly called for the construction part of the union to be deregistered. And what this means for businesses in other sector. - Why the new ‘Safeguarding Australian Military Secretes’ Act is having an immediate and worrisome impact on business resulting in unexpected (and unacceptable) consequences. Innes calls this ‘complete over -reach by government). - The impact of ongoing inflation and why this is creating an economy oper

In this episode, host James Scotland ask Adam Blake: ‘How do we, in Australia, build resilient and sustainable supply chains in and from Australia’. Blundstone Australia is a 150-year, family-owned, Hobart-based, globally-successful boot and apparel manufacturer. The company sells over 3 million pairs of boots annually to multiple markets in over 70 countries. It has a well-structured brand story and complex supply chain across the world. James and Adam address many meaty topics in this wide-ranging and insightful conversations including: • Achieving successful rapid international growth using innovative business design and organisational structures. • Breaking all the rules to achieve stunning global reach and success from a traditional Tasmanian manufacturing business. • Redesigning the business to become truly consumer-centric. • Managing seasonal global demand, highly-variable supply requirements and ‘lumpy’ cash flow challenges. • The excitement of ever-increasing Black Friday 4-day online sales, an

In this episode, Jim Wilson mounts a passionate and cogent argument for the global shipping industry, especially in support of the industry’s performance during the Covid years. James and Jim discuss the current issues of the industry and look to the future. Issues discussed include: Recent and future expectations of container pricing The issues for shipping in the Red Sea, the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal How the global container industry works The issues with Port operations around the world, and how Australia port compare to similar operations around the world The two also have an extended conversation regarding the active decarbonisation of the shipping industry, and how the industry is leading the way. A fascinating conversation full of insights and information on this critical industry to the Australian economy. Well worth a listen.

Digitalisation is a core subject of this podcast, and today we deep dive into digital disruption in supplier engagement and business matching. James and guest Tim Walmsley investigate the challenge of building a successful digitalised business from start-up. It’s a great discussion, and Tim provides lots of good insights including: • The LEAN start-up approach and why it works • The need to train your A.I. platform to operate the way you want it to • The challenge of matching different terminology across industry sectors • How to be flexible and scale digital operations for surge activity • The international opportunities in technology for Australian businesses • And much more This episode provides rare and fascinating insights into digitalization. Highly recommended!

What’s the China market really like? What’s it like to start a business in China? To be a supplier? To be a buyer? What’s the difference between an Italian craftsman and a Chinese worker? Are we ahead or behind the average Chinese worker in terms of technology use and adoption? In this episode, James chats with China expert Susan Heffernan about her decades of first-hand experience in the market, as a business owner and as a senior manager. It’s a fascinating chat with an insightful and fascinating business founder and manager. China is a critical market for Australia and it's growing every year. Official figures report China is already Australia's largest two-way trading partner, accounting for 27% of our overall global goods and services trade in 2023. And it keeps growing: The two-way trade with China increased by 9.2% last year and now totals $326.9 billion every year. So there's no doubt we as supply chain managers, as business improvement managers, as business development managers, even just as manag

What’s the difference between the Circular Economy and Circular Supply Chains? In this episode, supply chain specialist Brendan O’Keefe addresses the difference between the two and provides a raft of insights in the way forward. James and Brendan speak of the importance of moving past the take/make/use/ dispose mentality into a less wasteful, less inefficient /more sustainable approach to business and industry. Brendan explains the need to look past ‘product life’ and instead see the life of the initial resource and material as the critical value in the equation. Many other issues are discussed including the role and importance of product design and product packaging in circular supply chains, and the developments and progress of the issue around the world.

A special edition of Supply Circles to recognise and celebrate National Reconciliation Week 2024. Our guest is Daniel Joinbee and this is a ‘do-not-miss’ episode. In this fascinating café-style chat, James and Daniel talk about professional procurement, the role of indigenous businesses in supply chain, the tips for being a preferred supplier, the joy of being a proud Australian working overseas and in Military, as well as a proud Gunggangji man, and his plans to launch a satellite into space from Australia. Daniel shares a wide range of his experiences, and thoughts and insights including: - His views on how to be a good supplier. - An explanation of IPP and the possible confusion of two similar acronyms in Indigenous Procurement Policy. - What it means to be a product Gunggangji man and a proud Australian. - The lessons he learned from his many varied role during a fascinating career, including Air Traffic Control, international contract procurement, strategic vs transactional, supply and much more. - T

Business is a human-centred endeavour, and the one thing you can guarantee about people is that they change constantly. So one of the challenges for businesspeople is to keep up-to- date with the shifting needs and attitudes of your customers and stakeholders. In this episode, James and Leanne discuss ways to engage the multiple relationships within your supply chain eco-system, how to get the best from the relationships and how to ensure your ideas and goals are understood, accepted and implemented. In an engaging conversation James and Leanne share stories and anecdotes and seek ways to be better at managing ‘our customers’. Leanne says we need to ask ourselves, our customers and our suppliers: “What is it that they need to achieve, to achieve success? And as a business, if we can align our solutions to that, then we're creating products and services that are very sticky and very desired by that audience.” About Leanne Leanne Farnworth, the Founder of LAMP, brings over 25 years of design and busin

In this episode, we hear a story of Australia, of Australian manufacturing, of innovation and change, of resilience and adaptability. And of the ups and downs of family ownership as the business grows, adapts, and changes from generation to generation. It’s not a sexy business or a sexy range of products. But it’s the story of persistence, resilience and change. It’s the story of Everhard Industries, a 98 year-old business in Geebung, Brisbane, Queensland: an Australian family-owned manufacturer of Drainage, Wastewater and Environmental solutions for residential and commercial applications. Everard has been the long-time market leader in laundry units and sinks for the home. Back in 1926, Everhard pioneered the original concrete laundry tub in Queensland – a key part of homes in the suburbs and in the bush. From this humble beginning, the company has built itself into a modern manufacturer and importer of environmentally conscious materials and sustainable manufacturing techniques. Gina Boyce- Rowe is

To coincide with Anzac Day, this episode unpacks the concerning emerging issue for ex-Defence personnel in your business and your supply chain. The Defence Amendment (Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets) Bill 2023 came into law in Australia on the 8th April 2024. The act has two arms: the first impacts ex-Defence personnel and ex-Department of Defence staff, the second affects ‘Australian citizens’. Both carry penalties up to 20 years imprisonment. At face value, the need to safeguard Australian military secrets makes total sense- it’s a no-brainer… but as the episode’s guest explains, the Act has raised concerns in the business community. To many, it looks like it achieved ‘The Law of Unexpected Consequences’. And today’s guest is not only perfect for the task at hand, she’s also a fascinating guest in her own right: Rhiannon Willis is an emerging leader in her field, a highly qualified lawyer. She has a history in procurement and business, and she is extremely knowledgeable in the impacts of this n

Generative AI is here and is a major game-changer for business and supply chains. In this episode, A.I. specialist Dave Phung guides us through the confusing and often challenging task of understanding the opportunities and challenges of AI in the workplace, and in implementing it. Dave tells us what AI can do for your business and how to help staff accept it. He also addresses the elephants in the room and clarifies many of the concerns that currently exist with the new technology. A good episode with lots of chunky nuggets of insights and learning. About Dave Phung: • Dave is the Chief Disruptor at GPTStrategic, where he leads the implementation of Generative AI strategies for clients. With a career spanning over two decades, he has a track record of blending human-centered design with disruptive technology to deliver impactful projects for organizations such as GE, Fidelity Investments, Australian Open, Penfolds Wine, US Golf Association, Sony Playstation, and many others. • Connect with Dave on Linked

Ai Group’s head of National Workplace Relations Policy, Brent Ferguson, speaks to Thomas Oriti on ABC NewsRadio, discussing Ai Group’s submission to the Fair Work Commission on the minimum wage.

Sarah returns to provide clarity to the confusing plethora of announcements coming out of government regarding the Defence Industry. With her usual insightful commentary Sarah explains what’s going on, what is means for business and what we should do next to capture the opportunity. In a wide-ranging and engaging conversation, Sarah explains the many recent announcements and what they provide for businesses: • The review of Australian Navy surface fleet review (Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant review ) • The important (to business) ‘The Defence Industry Development Review’ • The plans for building a very large SovereignDefence Ship Building capability • The challenges of creating sovereign supply chains with truly Australian SMEs • The concerns regarding skills shortage in STEM • The steps businesses should take to get ready for the emerging Defence Industry • And much more. This is a fascinating, important, and timely conversation and one not to be missed.

Innovation is a fascinating and often misunderstood concept when it comes to business and business operations, but not for today’s guest, innovation specialist David Martin. Host James Scotland gets into an engaging and enjoyable deep dive with David on what innovation means for business and what businesses need to do to thrive through innovation. The two address the good parts and the challenges of business innovation, and what it means for the future of business. It’s a rare opportunity to go deep into the issue with an excellent communicator and experienced operator in the sector. Among many issues, the two discuss: - What is innovation? - Is R&D the same as innovation? - The exciting options of the semiconductor industry - Is Australia good at innovation? - What does innovation mean for boards of directors, and for managers? - What are the ‘emerging industries’? - How do businesses become innovative? - What is leadership at the speed of leadership? - Innovation in asset management or in soft assets?

Leann Webb is widely regarded the undisputed pioneer of the bid management industry in Australia. With over 20 years in the industry, Lean has a deep expertise in managing bid responses for major and mega project bids, particularly in the construction, infrastructure, transport, and defence sectors. She also helps small-to-medium sized enterprises to successfully respond to bids and tenders. In conversation with host James Scotland Leanne shares the secret to successful bidding and tendering. She also shares the pitfalls and common mistakes. The market is slowing in Australia and most businesses are experiencing softening demand and sales. This is a timely conversation and one not to be missed.

This is the final episode of ‘What on Earth...’ for now. Over the summer break we did a strategic review and we’ve decided to take a break for now- we’ve covered the key issues many times and a short break will give provide an opportunity for the issues to develop before we re-analyse. The good news is the monthly ‘What on Earth….’ will be replaced by a new monthly podcast addressing the broad issues of Industry Development and Industry Policy. Stay tuned. In this last episode, Paul is unavailable so James and Tennant look at the year ahead in the transition to the post carbon Australia. • Tennant gives a detailed review of the UN Climate Conference in Dubai, what he learnt by attending and what it means for Australai. • The two discuss the Federal Government plans for a Climate Related Final Disclosure reporting process. • The proposal for Fuel Efficiency Standard for Australia and National Emission Targets. • And much more. It’s a fascinating episode and well worth the listen. Thank you for your ongo

Brand is business; business is brand’ with David Schloeffel, Chief Enabling Officer, Brandness. In this insightful episode, David talks about using the company brand to build resilience into the business. “Brand is your biggest asset and it’s critical to the success of any business, regardless of size”, he tells host James Scotland. In this fascinating conversation, David reveals: • why a brand is essential to operations and supply lines; • how the expectations and performance level on B2B (business-to-business) companies have changed as a result of our experiences with B2C (business-to-consumer) companies; • why it’s important to ensure brand management is across the whole business and isn’t just a boardroom strategy; • how to carry out a brand analysis that includes customers, suppliers and staff and • how to transform from being product-based to brand-based — and why it’s important.  Find out more about David on LinkedIn.

In this first episode of 2024 James speaks with his colleague at Ai Group, the Director of Research and Economics Dr Jeff Wilson. In a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation, James and Jeff talk through the lessons from last year and the current economic trends framing the year ahead. They then discuss the findings of the recently released report ‘Australian Industry Outlook 2024’. This annual report is an analysis and summary of the opinions of what is ahead in 2024 according to 300 business leaders in Australia. The official release of the report says: After three years of pandemic-induced disruptions and volatility, Australian industry enjoyed much more stable conditions in 2023. But as business leaders look out into the new year, they have real worries about uncertainty and stagnation in 2024. This year, more than 300 senior leaders from across Australia responded to our eleventh annual Industry Expectations Survey. The report, due for release on 22 January, is a must-read resource to understand