Notes From The Executive

James Hurman was named the world's best strategic planner. He is the founder and chair of Previously Unavailable, the Auckland venture company behind Tracksuit and AF Drinks, and the author of Future Demand. His argument: advertising doesn't cause sales, it decides which brand wins them.·We put that to work at NZ scale: a business under $1 million, a $20k marketing budget split the way his data says, how James sizes risk across his ventures, and the four habits of lucky people from his children's book The Boy and the Lemon.·AcademyEx: www.academyex.com·Logitech: www.logitech.com·Pwrfully: Learn How to Tell Your Story On Podcast To Grow Your Business: pwrfully.com/podcast-guest-workshop·What I asked James: What framework for advertising do you swear by? Does brand building work for a business under $1 million? How should a small business split a $20k marketing budget? How do you assess risk across so many ventures? Why are some people luckier than others?·Follow James: LinkedIn·Leave me a review: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Wonky Box, a NZ food rescue business spent nothing on marketing in its first year. It still reached more than 1,000 customers before paying for a single ad. Angus Simms explains how: a new grower's story every week, posted in local Facebook groups with no prices and no links.Now the business is squeezed at both ends by freight levies, and Angus says fuel costs are no longer temporary. We also cover the proposed merger between two of New Zealand's three big produce wholesalers.AcademyExDon't get left behind with AI. Join the Disruptive Technologies Course and get $50 off with code PARTNERS👉 academyex.com/partners-coursesPwrfullyLearn How to Tell Your Story On Podcast To Grow Your Business👉 pwrfully.com/podcast-guest-workshopAngus Simms co-founded Wonky Box with his partner Katie after a hailstorm in the Tasman marked a season of pears and apples. Before that he worked in finance in London.Six years on, Wonky Box says it has 17,000 active subscribers, warehouses in Auckland and Christchurch, and more than 100 growers. It now sells meat, flowers and upcycled pantry goods alongside produce.What I Asked Angus👉 How did you get your first 1,000 customers without ads?👉 How do you know a business idea will actually make money?👉 How have you made it work with rising fuel costs?👉 Should one produce wholesaler buy the other?👉 What was your most costly mistake?Follow MeMina on YouTube youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcastMina on Spotify open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcpMina on Apple Podcasts podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1584949377Mina on Instagram instagram.com/minaamsoMina on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/minaamsoFollow AngusWonky Box wonkybox.nzTimestamps00:00 Intro04:10 Why isn't a subscription box for everyone?06:21 How is a produce box different from a meal kit?08:36 Why is NZ meat being sent overseas?10:03 How do I spot a business idea in someone else's problem?13:27 How much NZ food never gets eaten?17:22 How do I know a business idea will make money?21:10 How do I test a business idea with no budget?22:33 Is a business incubator worth it?25:25 Why set up a board of directors early?29:24 How do I free up 40% of my week?33:59 What do I do when outsourcing fails the first time?36:07 How do I expand a business to a new region?39:49 How big can a NZ subscription business get?43:12 How do I get my first 1,000 customers without ads?47:28 How does PR grow a small business?50:05 Why does storytelling sell when customers can't choose?55:10 What marketing actually moves the needle now?59:10 What does the produce wholesaler merger mean for NZ?1:03:22 Why is fresh produce consumption dropping in NZ?1:05:16 How do I price a fixed box when costs change weekly?1:09:28 How do rising freight costs hit a delivery business?1:12:08 How do I plan for fuel costs that aren't temporary?1:15:22 Why do early hires stop fitting the role?1:18:00 What does one packing mistake cost?1:19:37 Is now a good time to start a business in NZ?1:21:16 Where to find Wonky Box

AcademyExDon't get left behind with AI. Join the Disruptive Technologies Course starting October 6th and get $50 off with code PARTNERS👉 academyex.com/partners-coursesLogitechWin Logitech Productivity Giveaway worth $1,500To enter: 👉 bit.ly/NFTEGiveawayPwrfullyLearn How to Tell Your Story On Podcast To Grow Your Business👉 pwrfully.com/podcast-guest-workshopWant to be a podcast guest? Answer 7 questions and get 3 NZ and Australian shows your buyers listen to, with a pitch angle for each. Free: 👉 pwrfully.com/podcastfinderFor our podcast's second birthday I left the studio. I spent two days at the Franchise and Small Business Expo in Auckland and asked nine business owners one question. How are you making it work right now? One accountant says customers are going under. Another says the biggest shock is the first-year tax bill. A founder built an AI board of directors after her team was headhunted. A home staging business now does up to 60 houses a month.Featuring Cassandra Cadorin (founder, CanTicket), Catherine Newton (business coach), Craig (director, Drone Boss), Dave Hayward (founder, Europa Creative Partners), Alick (head of growth, Thankyou Payroll), Asheel (accountant, PKF), Jaki (co-founder, Foxx and Filly Home Staging), Tim Waite (leadership coach) and Michelle (accountant, Money Savvy Move).What I Asked👉 Can a non-tech business owner build AI agents?👉 What is the most common cause of bad cash flow?👉 Is your first year in business tax free?👉 Why is year two the hardest year in business?👉 Can you build a successful life waking up at 8am?Timestamps00:00 Intro02:32 What are the 7 levels of AI for business?04:49 How does an AI board of directors run a business?11:09 Can a non-tech business owner build AI agents?17:29 How do I stop trading hours for dollars?21:59 Why are NZ business owners afraid to be seen?28:47 What is the difference between features and benefits?33:54 How do I protect the first four hours of my day?41:25 What if I could only sell one offer for 12 months?44:39 Why start a drone business in NZ right now?45:54 Why do some businesses grow and others stall?48:22 How much can a drone contractor make?50:04 Why is year two the hardest year in business?51:24 What would you do differently starting a business again?55:11 What is hope marketing?57:10 What is the difference between brand building and sales activation?1:00:06 Why does selling on price become a race to the bottom?1:03:36 How do I get more people to open my newsletter?1:11:56 How do I build an AI business brain in Claude?1:12:45 How do I protect deep work time?1:17:36 How can a payroll company run as a social enterprise?1:21:00 What is steward ownership?1:28:04 What causes most cash flow problems?1:29:30 How do I make business decisions without emotion?1:33:25 Can AI keep a small business alive?1:36:01 How do I start a home staging business?1:40:24 How do I build loyalty with referral partners?1:42:23 When should I franchise my business?1:46:43 How much does home staging cost in NZ?1:52:42 Why do business owners avoid hard conversations?1:56:19 Do successful people have to wake up at 5am?2:04:15 Is your first year in business tax free?2:04:59 How much should I set aside for tax?2:06:58 When should I shut down a business that is losing money?2:10:01 How do I stop big goals overwhelming me?Follow MeMina on YouTube youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcastMina on Spotify open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcpMina on Apple Podcasts podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1584949377Mina on Instagram instagram.com/minaamsoMina on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/minaamso

What happens to a country that stops making things?·AcademyExDon't get left behind with AI. Join the Disruptive Technologies Course starting October 6th and get $50 off with code PARTNERS👉 https://academyex.com/partners-courses·LogitechWin Logitech Productivity Giveaway worth $1,500To enter: 👉 https://bit.ly/NFTEGiveaway·PwrfullyLearn How to Tell Your Story On Podcast To Grow Your Business👉 https://pwrfully.com/podcast-guest-workshop·Alan McDonald is Head of Advocacy at the EMA, New Zealand's largest business association, supporting employers and manufacturers since 1886. A former journalist, he has spent eight years on RMA reform and fronts the EMA's positions on the economy, infrastructure and energy.·Recorded two days before Stats NZ released June quarter GDP, Alan predicted a rise of 0.1 to 0.2 percent on tape. The number came in at 0.2 percent. Unemployment sits at 5.6 percent, the highest since September 2015.·What I Asked AlanWhat are you expecting from tomorrow's GDP number?Do you really think the City Rail Link will help Auckland businesses?Why is unemployment worse in Auckland than anywhere else?How serious is deindustrialisation in New Zealand?What industries does New Zealand need to keep?·Chapters00:00 Intro1:44 The GDP call3:54 Christchurch vs Auckland6:39 What's struggling right now7:49 The City Rail Link16:00 Unemployment at an 11 year high18:03 Hiring sentiment21:08 Why stability beats a winner31:07 The workforce squeeze44:00 Power prices, gas and hedging49:17 The $60m cement deal52:03 What NZ must keep making56:39 Business confidence·Follow Alanhttps://[email protected]·Follow MeYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcastSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcpApple https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1586953812Instagram https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/minaamso·Notes From The Executive is New Zealand's no-BS business podcast for owners of established companies who want to grow faster, protect their margin, and build something worth selling.·

Six New Zealanders who have used artificial intelligence in a real business. One made half a million dollars in eleven weeks with it.PwrfullyGet Recognised and speak to your ideal market on podcasts. Sign up to our workshop 👉pwrfully.com/workshopAcademyexGo to the next level with your skills at workLearn More 👉 www.academyex.comLogitechWin Our 2nd Birthday Logitech Productivity Pack Giveaway worth $1,500To enter: 👉 bit.ly/NFTEGiveawayWatch The Full EpisodesStanley Henry, I Used AI to Build a Business Brain: $500K in 11 Weeks youtube.com/watch?v=KA3uCXU794UPerrin Rowland, The AI Skills Crisis New Zealand Refuses to Talk About youtube.com/watch?v=k5mC__tw15IMarisa Fong, Scaling A Business Without a Degree (And Sell it After For Millions) youtube.com/watch?v=hhE_ZHgW4E4Melissa Clark-Reynolds ONZM, NZ is About to Change: Here's What 2040 Really Looks Like youtube.com/watch?v=eolgsPKzOfEGreg Cross, No Data Centres, No AI Economy? youtube.com/watch?v=z-kA_wT0kZwTim Warren, Forget AI Tools: Why Most NZ Business Owners Are Burning Cash youtube.com/watch?v=3yi9I05YBbwTimestamps0:00 Why does everyone else seem to be making money with this and I am not0:45 How do I give artificial intelligence everything my business knows3:55 How do I turn what I already know into something people pay for7:16 Why is New Zealand so far behind on artificial intelligence10:13 Why can't I charge what I used to charge for the same work12:36 What do I tell my board about artificial intelligence16:02 Why do most companies get nothing back from what they spend on it17:43 How much should I actually spend on these tools20:17 What has to sit at the centre of all of thisFollow MeMina on YouTube youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcastMina on Spotify open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcpMina on Apple Podcasts podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1584949377Mina on Instagram instagram.com/minaamsoMina on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/minaamso