Biz Bytes

The last 18 months have been notable for their volatility.

Opinions have become currency, not always based on fact. 

We've seen that we're not that great at predicting the future and, as a result, are never fully prepared - that just makes things more uncertain and leads to more opinions.

How can you separate fact from opinion?

First, remember that you control your perceptions and the energy that you bring to a situation.

Then, ...

When Joe Santana ran a recent survey on AI tools, 63% of HR professionals who responded thought that introduction of AI would make the organisation more balanced.

But will it?

Or could AI make a company less diverse if it’s not delivered correctly?

In this episode, I talk with Joe about the potential impact of AI on diversity, equity, and inclusion. We discuss how it could affect an organisation’s ability to secure and retain the best...

As an entrepreneur, you know what it takes to get things done: finding a need and filling it, building a business from the ground up to do so. Unfortunately, for many entrepreneurs, their work becomes their life. When people talk about work-life balance you nod along and agree that it’s important, but then turn around and throw yourself back in. You might dream of a 3-month walk-about, or of climbing that mountain, but how on earth...

Despite what we'll tell you, technology isn't the fastest-changing industry.

That honour goes to Cyber Security.

As we see new advances in technology we also need to keep up with protecting and securing the devices and systems we use. While the cyber security industry has been able to adapt as they go, the universities have also joined the fight and are now training the next wave of cyber security specialists.

Through this cou...

Heard of Low Code or No Code?

A No-Code development platform provides the ability to create application software through a graphical user interface instead of traditional hand-coded computer programming.

Used properly, it gives companies the freedom to try things out without the cost.

Even though it is perfect for prototyping, No-Code still carries some risks.

In this episode, I head back to Denmark to talk with Kasper Pederson and fin...

What do the All Blacks, prenuptials and onboarding new clients all have in common?

Culture.

Businesses that want to start a successful relationship with a new client need to set expectations at the start.

It doesn't hurt to approach it like a prenuptial agreement.

And that's where the All Blacks bring inspiration. While they have a strong strategy. They also have a values-based culture that dictates no one is bigger than the te...

How are you going to manage it if the relationship breaks down? It's not necessarily something you consider when entering into a new business arrangement. Definitely something you need to think about if you want to avoid a lengthy and costly process when things don't go right.

In today's episode, I talked with Gerard Doolin, Managing Director of Be Amorgos, about contract management, dispute resolution, and what to consi...

Digital has opened up a whole new world of possibilities.

When new projects are being explored, who represents the needs of your culture?

You... or is it a token effort?

Regardless of what benefits technology brings, each culture needs to be responsible for their own journey through the digital age and to beyond to ensure they get all the benefits.

In this episode I catch up with John Shortland, of Nga Puhi and Tainui descent,  to disc...

Your business is taking off, you're hiring more people to meet the growing demand. The decisions you make now could have long consequences if you get them wrong.

Hiring is costly, but attrition is expensive.

If you get the hiring right from the start, the better it is for your business.

So how do you ensure that you hire the right people?

You hire people who match your values of course. 

In today's episode, I talk with Vic Jack ...

Over the last few years, companies have focussed on the concept of wholeness at the office, where we bring all the elements of who we are to work — our passions and strengths, our side projects and relationships, our partners and kids.

Let’s say we’re ready to bring our whole selves to work; the next step is making sure our workplace supports this mindset. It’s the proverbial “which comes first” dilemma - a supportive workplace or o...

Did you hear the one about the company that launched a product, went global, and sold for millions of dollars? 

Yes, everyone has heard that story.

They make it all sound so easy, but the truth is they will have had some solid advice throughout the journey.

People to help them get their house in order at every stage of the business lifecycle. Stage like:

Getting the business started and ensuring you have good agreements in place to pro...

Is it possible that blockchain solutions are starting to reach what gartner refers to as the slope of enlightenment?

Their practical uses in supply chain management are becoming more evident.

And then there's smart contracts, which give the ability to track ownership of an asset and create generational wealth.

The changes we're starting to see are what's being referred to as Web 3.0, and today I talk with Dr Justin Goldsto...

2020 was a good year to be a technology support partner.

Not from a profit perspective (ok, it didn't hurt that)

The events of 2020 raised the value of a good support partner and what they bring to an organisation.

Like the ability to get your business running in a remote model, and keeping you there

Or the reduction of risk by getting you on to more modern platforms 

It all takes skills, tools, and the right level of understanding ...

So you're thinking of selling your products offshore.

You've set up local distribution channels, got the manufacturing sorted, and your website is ready to go.

What about tax? 

The indirect tax, like GST and VAT.

Or the more complex, like the split between a state and a federal tax system.

As your business changes and grows, Tax can become more complicated.

So which is why it's important to get good tax advice, early.

In this ...

"There's an app for that"

so goes the joke when any manual task comes up.

And you've heard the one about how Automation and Robots will take our jobs.

Or Chatbots are more efficient than people.

And how to replace your accountant with booking keeping software.

Yeah, right. 

Technology is a great enabler, but it's not a true replacement for people. Especially when it comes to high-value activities that involve complex ...

Put your phone down for a minute...

Now how long could you leave it?

A few minutes?
A few hours?
A few days...

Or are you already getting FOMO?

Putting your phone down is the challenge that Phone Free day (March 19) puts to us as part of the growing movement for empowering people to use technology in a smarter and more purposeful way.

All in an effort to reduce technostress and improve digital wellbeing.

In today's episode, I talk with...

What do the TV series Band of Brothers and the movie Saving Private Ryan have in common with decision making in business?

They both highlight the value of communication, training and teamwork to achieve an outcome.

And they show it in the most VUCA of situations

That's volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous.

In today's episode I catch up with Military Buff and Engineer Travis "Grizzly" Jacobs about why rigidly foll...

We're all familiar with the saying "when you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail".

But what about this one:

Every hammer needs a human.

In hands, it's a tool.

Without hands, it's a lump of metal.

And it's true, tools add a lot of value, but people are at the heart of everything we do.

In this episode of Biz Bytes, I talk with Bruno Cignacco about why a business should be customer-oriented, emotional based...

Automation through virtual assistants allows for better Customer Service, Enhanced experience, and customer communications at scale. 

Sounds good for business, but where do you start?

A good place is always to define the problem you have and then work your way back from there. 

Deploy it in the real world and make changes as you go.

And above all meet your customer expectations

In this episode, I link up with Estonia to talk bots with I...