The Real Solutions Business Podcast

In this episode I am joined by the joyful, vivacious and ever colourful Susan Forde from Susan Forde Jewellery. Susan talks with me about her background as a girl from West London to discovering her new home in New Zealand and her journey to becoming a bespoke jewellery designer. Susan talks with me about the importance of presenting yourself confidently in business and how jewellery and colours can be some of your most powerful allies in projecting your most authentic and confident self. We deep dive into some of Susan's creations, explore her why and the passions that drive her to help people present themselves authentically with flair and style. Have you ever wondered how you can improve your mood and self confidence just by leaning into your colours or the feeling that comes from wearing a special piece of jewellery. If you have ever wondered about getting a bespoke piece of jewellery made, updating your wardrobe or repurposing heirloom jewellery that may be gathering dust but deserves to see the light of day again then this episode is a must listen. Anyway, who said business can only be done in shades of grey and black! Time to colour up your world by visiting www.susanforde.com Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

In this episode I am joined by Jon Foulkes, Senior Consultant from Redvespa Consultants a national business consultancy firm with an office here in Christchurch. Jon talks with me about the concept of Risk Management considerations for NZ SMEs when looking at and deploying new projects within their organisations. Jon talks with me about the fact the there is no avoiding every risk in a new project or its delivery, rather it is knowing what risks are deal breakers and which can be navigated or lived with depending on an organisations risk appetite. Jon talks with me about the 'Triangle of Tension' inherent in all projects along with the 7 key takeaways for an organisation considering or delivering a new project. This one is a fascinating listen. If you have ever wondered about "creeping bloat" in your projects then you need to listen to the sage advice imparted in this episode. If you are interested you can learn more about Jon and the team at RedVespa here www.redvespa.com Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

The logical next topic, following on from our episode about how to manage your cash flow. If you're sending out invoices and 'hoping' that people will pay you by the due date, it's time you take 'hope' out of the equation and bring a little certainty in. Partner at Godfreys Law, Brad McDonald discusses with credit manager, debt collector, and Partner at Undercontrol Credit Management Jeannette Kwant about how to keep the money coming in, including: - Why people don't pay invoices, and how to make them pay; - How to put terms in place that protect your business; and - Jeannette's top three tips to make sure people pay on time, improving your cash flow cycle. If you have questions about credit management, terms of trade, or debt collection and you'd like to know more, you can contact Jeannette here. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

Where will your business be in three months? How about 6 months? What will your business look like this time next year?  Partner at Godfreys Law, Brad McDonald discusses with Chartered Accountant and Principal and PKF Goldsmith Fox, Dorian Crighton the importance of creating, following and implementing a strategic plan for your business, including: - What should be included in a strategic plan; - Why strategic planning is vital for business success; and - How to implement your strategic plan so everyone is on the same page. If you're interested in learning more about strategic planning or have further questions for Dorian, you can contact him here. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

In this podcast I team up with Kaushik Kumar (Forbes 30 under 30 Asia Pacific) who manages Dark Matter a video production/sale video consultancy alongside Dark Spaces which is a specialist 'done-by-you' studio space in Christchurch. Kaushik has a wealth of experience in this space and just happens to be one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. Take a listen to Kaushik demystifying the process that is video content production for business. This episode may just take your business to the next level. Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

In this episode I am joined by Noel MacDonald your Business Success Partner from Oxygen8 Consultants to talk about a new training programme that they are bringing to the NZ small business market called “MAPS” (My Action Plan for Success). This episode is a must listen for any small business owners in NZ who might have one too many challenges in their business, need to learn to prioritise what really matters, learn to focus limited time and energy, gain necessary skills and build a supportive network of like-minded business owners. Noel talks with me about how the new MAPS programme helps small business owners take a good look at their business, identify a range of issues, record a business plan, draw up a budget and set goals to measure the impact of your actions. This is all the while staying connected with a new network of business owners who will help on the accountability piece. If MAPS sounds like something you and your business need (and I highly recommend Noel and the team ay Oxygen8 as the small business consulting experts) then head along to www.oxygen8.co.nz/maps to find out more.Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

In this episode, I am joined by Elise Balsillie for a special ‘double-header’ release. Elise Balsillie is the head of Thryv Australia and New Zealand Check them out here www.thryv.com). Thryv (formerly known as Yellow Pages in NZ) has been supporting the small business economy in New Zealand by helping small business owners navigate the complexities of marketing and growing their business. Elise is an ardent advocate for the small business community and has a focus on helping small business owners digitise their operations. This is a space in which small changes can make a significant difference in the lives of business owners. On side A of the podcast Elise talks with me about the small business digital divide in New Zealand noting that a whopping 50% of NZ businesses are not as digitally enabled as they could be and how this can be bridged. Then on side B we continue the discussion by delving into how small business can build business resilience through smarter technology. There should be a number of nuggets in this podcast for small business owners.Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

In this episode I record (as a solo session) a talk that I recently gave at a breakfast seminar to a room full of Canterbury Business Owners hosted by Baker Tilly Staples Rodway. I was one of three presenters who spoke (the other two being previous guests on this podcast: Jeannette Kwant Director of Undercontrol Credit Management and Noel MacDonald from Oxygen8 Consulting). The premise behind the breakfast seminar was "Getting back to Growth" for Canterbury Business Owners. After an opening and introduction from Director Dorian Crighton I kicked the seminar off with a presentation entitled "Loneliness at the Top & Unlocking Leadership Brilliance". The title says it all. I hope you find something in this one that inspires you with your own leadership journey.Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

Yes, you read that title right! In this episode I am joined by the exceptionally erudite and all-round good guy James Gallagher from Payroll Intelligence and Tempus Payroll to talk about the vexing issue of holiday pay for employees in New Zealand.  Despite the fact the Holidays Act is 23 odd years old it is still a much discussed and maligned piece of legislation due to the complexities of outcomes that can be caused by applying the holidays law to certain types of workers, work patterns and methods of remuneration. Although reform of the Act has been on the table for some time now nothing has yet materialised to replace this important piece of employment legislation. James talks with me about all the weird, wonderful and downright terrifying things that can happen when a little snowball turns into a rolling monster of a snowball thanks to the compounding effect of historic payroll errors. There is a lot in this episode that business owners need to be across and more importantly have confidence that their payroll people and software are up to the task of ensuring compliance with the legislation. You can find out more about Payroll Intelligence and Tempus Payroll on their websites which are located at: www.payrollintelligence.co.nz and www.payrollbytempus.com Don’t get caught short in this area as the costs can be huge!Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

In this episode I am joined by Naadia Jackson-Amiga to talk about Foundational Business Marketing. Naadia joins an evolving list of marketing experts that have been on the podcast. Why talk to another marketer? Well, I was intrigued by Naadia’s back to basics “foundational” approach for businesses to approach their marketing from. Naadia has worked with over two thousand small business owners both one to one and in groups to help them get clarity on where they are heading in their business. Amongst other things she helps build confidence for business owners that their foundational marketing is set up (checks and action areas), form a simple and effective content marketing plan, defining big and little messages and helping owners understand how to make the most of every part of your content. We all know that strong foundations are critical to enterprise success but often in the ‘fog of business’ we can stray from our foundations and end up in unfamiliar (and even wore unaligned) territory with a diluted marketing message that doesn’t actually align with our ideal customers and how we need to be talking with them. I really enjoyed talking with Naadia about how businesses can look at the foundations of their marketing efforts to see if they are still fit for purpose. And, as an extra treat, Naadia has asked me to share with our listeners the ‘Essential Business Starter Kit’ which can be accessed on this link: https://youruniquenessonline.com/starter-kit/.Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

In the latest episode of the Real Solutions Business Podcast, I am joined by Rob Brown (selfdrivenman.com) the ‘Self Driven Man’. Rob talks with me about his personal journey through business and life up until the point he received a devastating cancer diagnosis. Not being one to give up without a fight, Rob decided to tackle the diagnosis and cancer in his own personal way by embarking on a journey of personal discovery to heal before turning to more conventional treatments. Happily, Rob survived and is luckily here to tell the tale. What the heck does all this have to do with business? Well, during Rob’s journey he went deeply inward to discover the past hurts and traumas that had held him back in his life and career (which had been very successful) and lead to repeated cycles that he wanted to break free from. All of this led Rob to studying personal development, mindset and transformational coaching. This helped him to clear out the unhelpful beliefs, guilt, shame and fear that had quietly been running the show. Rob now coach’s men to do the same so that they can let go f the past to lead with meaning clarity and confidence. I felt truly privileged (and inspired!) speaking with Rob about these intimate personal subjects and how one man decided to empower himself to fight not only a life-threatening disease but how he discovered the tools to not only heal himself but empower other men and leaders who also want to ‘break free’. This one is a ripper and I recommend you give it a listen to see what transformation looks and feels like.Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

In this episode I am joined by Gareth Melia from Melia Marketing and Design (meliamarketing.com) a Company based in Christchurch which has a global reach in both its audience and customer base. Gareth downloaded his years of experience in the web design space direct to me during our wide-ranging conversation. Not only did I learn some new slang, “techno babble” but I also learned about the key ingredients that strong and persuasive websites need to embed. The reality is that most businesses have and need a website. A website acts like a silent digital gateway for your business whether it be selling products or services. Your website is often the first impression that most people will have of your business, and we all know that first impressions are critical in all walks of life and business. A website needs to be kept up to date and project your brand in a compelling way with appropriate calls to action. When was the last time you looked at your website? Gareth really opened my eyes on the potential returns that await those who get it done right. If your website is little old and tired or your ‘bounce rate’ is too high and engagement is flagging, then give this episode a listen!Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

In tis episode I am joined by Andrew Male who is the Southern Territory Manager at Kinetics Group. Andrew leads the Kinetics business in the South Island and has a deep and varied background across multiple business areas. Kinetics Group (www.kinetics.co.nz) was established over 25 years ago and is an award-winning IT support and solutions company who specialise in supporting medium sized businesses with their IT needs. Andrew talks with me about the ongoing cyber threats faced by NZ businesses in 2025 alongside some of the steps businesses can take to protect themselves from malicious actors. Andrew discusses some salutary real-world situations that bring home the very real threat faced by businesses in the cyber sphere. To say this is no joke is an absolute understatement. Taking cyber risk seriously and tackling it in a meaningful and ongoing way are now non-negotiable for all business owners. It is not a question of if you will get hit it is merely a question of when! If you are worried about these risks or want to understand how you might look to approach them then give this episode a listen.Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

In this episode I am joined by Tracey Olivier. Tracey is a Leadership coach, speaker and facilitator (traceyolivier.com). Tracey works with leaders to ignite, encourage and equip them so that they can build happy, healthy and productive teams. She does this by equipping leaders with tools for creating effective teams and works to help leaders build teams focussed on excellence. Tracey is a certified ‘Working Genius Facilitator’ which enables her to bring the tools and resources developed by the Table Group to help the leaders she works with leverage the Working Genius model. Do you know your Working Genius type? There are 6 types! The model Tracey works with can help leaders develop, foster job alignment, team cohesion and productivity. Tracey’s resume is inspiring and the memberships or former memberships and chair roles she has been in and continues with is impressive to say the least! Tracey speaks with warmth, passion and a deep understanding of how leaders can thrive to be their best and lead high performing teams. If it feels lonely at the top and you want some inspiration on how you can lead with passion and purpose, then give this episode a listen.Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

In this episode I am joined by Stewart Hunt who is the owner of Auckland based First Commercial Insurance Brokers (www.fcib.co.nz). FCIB was established in 2018. Stewart and his team offer specialist insurance and risk management advice to small and medium sized businesses. FCIB are members (and have the backing of) of Insurance Advisernet NZ who are one of the biggest General Insurance Broker Groups in New Zealand and Australia. Aside from supporting the insurance need of local SMEs Stewart specialises in arranging insurance for food manufacturing and furniture manufacturers.  Stewart has over 20 years’ experience in the insurance industry and has worked for several of the big broking businesses in New Zealand. Not only has Stewart made a career in insurance working for others but he has established and developed his own successful broking business. Stewart and I chat about the importance of insurance for businesses, some of the types of insurance available and how a broker can add value, expert guidance both in organising the right insurance cover, paying fair premiums, and getting expert advocacy and support come claim time. I think that the importance of business insurance can often be overlooked by business owners who may approach it on a set and forget basis, but this episode outlines the importance of regular reviews to ensure your business is adequately covered come claim time.Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

In this episode I am joined by Bill James. Bill helps people who are technically excellent at what they do, but really struggle to promote the value they bring to customers. From generating opportunity to completion of the business and beyond, he can provide introverts, newbies, and reluctant salespeople with the confidence, knowledge, and willingness plus the process to measurably increase their sales results. During our chat Bill zeroes in on the opportunities to be found in 'old school' offline marketing opportunities. Bill talks through a number of real world examples about how doing the simple in a targeted clever way can really shift the needle on your business sales. Bill also talks to me about the importance of the rule of two Nos. If you want to shift the dial on referrals and new business then I recommend you give this one a listen.Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

In this episode I am joined by Richard Ellis who is a Health and Mindset coach. Richard talks to me about the important work he does within New Zealand organisations where he helps build healthier, smarter and more engaged teams by helping people better manage stress. Did you know that managing the stress your people are exposed to in the workplace is a legal requirement under New Zealand Health and Safety law? If not, then give this episode a listen to find out about the work Richard does in the workplace to help people and teams manage the inevitable workplace stress that comes from projects and deadlines. Hear and learn about some of the things that business owners can implement in the workplace to help support your people to perform at their best. And guess what, a good night’s sleep is still worth its weight in gold!Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

Many of us will be familiar with the saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day” but less familiar is the run on sentence that completes it, which is “But, they were laying blocks every day.” As business owners we all want to celebrate success through big wins. But solely focussing on those ‘big wins’ without a roadmap of how you can deliver your vision or offering can be a serious roadblock to achieving your goals. In this episode I am joined by Jennifer Heuett from the Small Wins Company (www.smallwinscompany.com) to talk about why ‘small wins’ matter and how, when applied consistently, can mount up to help you achieve the bigger wins. Jennifer is a Business Consultant and self-described “Planning Nerd”. She helps owners and service providers map out their next chapter in business with next-level offers, simplified systems, and industry-leading client experiences. Jennifer works with companies to deliver top notch service to their customers and clients and lead their respective industries with passion not pressure. If you want to get clear on how you can deliver that next online offering or course with success, then I recommend you give this one a listen.Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

Marketing, one of the cornerstones of any successful business yet perhaps one of the least understood. In this episode I am joined by Todd Starr who has completed thousands of creative projects over the last decade. Todd talks with me about his background and career in marketing. Todd and I talk about the power or marketing your business and how business owners are able not only to able to obtain results but also connection with their target audiences with focussed marketing and development. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur, in a start-up or an established business owner looking to scale up or just feeling stuck and looking for new ideas then this episode is well worth a listen. Don’t risk your business by making easily avoidable marketing mistakes. Hear how Todd takes a different approach to many other marketing agencies and why he has a waiting list of business owners who want to work with him to unlock the insights that he can bring to their marketing game. Even better you can see more for yourself by visiting his website toddstarr.co.nz where you can take a short online test to understand your next best steps for getting more clients with less of the guess work or you could just go and buy that lottery ticket insteadIs there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

Have you ever heard of a ‘Brand Coach’ and if you have, do you have any idea what that means and how such a coach might help you. Well, fear not, because in the first episode of 2025 I speak with Kathryn Sandford. Kathryn is a personal brand coach specialising in helping Senior Professionals. Kathryn’s superpower is turning ‘Invisible” into ‘Influential’ through personal branding and leadership. Kathryn talks with me about the relevance of your personal brand and how within that brand lies your future. We look at how your personal brand is your strategic advantage to leverage opportunities, maintain visibility and secure your ongoing career relevance. Kathryn chats about her personal branding coaching sessions and how she helps professionals find opportunities that not only align with your skills but also your passions. If you have ever been curious about the art of personal branding and transforming how others see you in the marker then I recommend you give this episode a listen. Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.