In this episode, Ben Annabel, founder of accounting and advisory firm Recharge Group joins us.

Recorded for the Most FM Business Hour, this interview covers the entire lifecycle of a business owner - from the initial hustle of a startup to the difficult decision to exit and the journey of starting over with a new purpose.

Ben shares the practical strategies he used to scale his first business, Evergreen Plumbing, and the personal challenges with burnout and mental health that led him to sell it. He talks openly about the importance of brand, why he's now focused on "slow growth," and how his personal experiences have shaped his new venture helping other tradies build sustainable businesses and lives. This is a must-listen for any business owner navigating the pressures of growth.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

- The disciplined financial strategy that set his first business up for success.

- How to scale a trades business and the unique shareholder model he used.

- The realities of burnout and the importance of mental health for entrepreneurs.

- Transitioning from a high-growth hustle to a sustainable, purpose-driven business model.

- The power of niche marketing and building a brand that connects with a specific audience.

Chapters:

(01:34) Introducing Ben Annabel from Recharge

(03:53) Starting a plumbing apprenticeship and the value of trades

(09:18) The decision to start his first business, Evergreen Plumbing

(16:33) Scaling the business and the strategy that fuelled its growth

(26:16) The transition from Evergreen Plumbing to the Recharge Group

(33:44) The health challenges and burnout that led to the decision to exit

(37:02) The importance of mental health and finding support as a business owner

(41:07) Founding Recharge Group with a unique focus on wellness

(52:47) How retreats are helping business owners recharge and refocus

Forget the generic AI reports from the US. We wanted to know what's actually happening with AI right here in New Zealand, so we sat down with a group of local business leaders for a frank roundtable discussion.

This episode is a recap of that conversation. We cover the surprising ways AI is being used (and the tools people are actually choosing), why clinging to old tools like spreadsheets is holding businesses back, and how the conversation around AI taking jobs is far more nuanced than you're being told.

If you want an on-the-ground perspective on how Kiwi businesses are navigating AI, this episode gives you a seat at the table.

In this episode, we cover:

• 02:21 Key Insights and Learnings from the Round Table

• 03:45 AI Tools and Their Impact on Business Processes

• 06:19 The Role of AI in Replacing or Enhancing Jobs

• 09:01 Importance of Brand Voice in the AI Era

• 17:25 Data Security Concerns and Education Gaps

  
  

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How do you build an award-winning career in leadership and governance without a university degree? You say yes to opportunities, you learn to take risks, and you focus on what really matters: people.

In this episode, Jordan McFadyen is joined by Adam Harris and talks with Jessie Waite, a leader in New Zealand’s primary industries and the winner of the 2022 Institute of Directors' Emerging Director Award.

Jessie shares her unconventional journey from local journalist to a key figure in agricultural management, proving that your path to success doesn't need to be linear.

We cover:

- Why Jessie believes your personality and ability to connect are more valuable than a traditional CV.

- Her leadership framework of being "clear but kind" and how to have difficult conversations effectively.

- Practical advice for navigating male-dominated industries and the importance of setting boundaries.

- How taking on roles you aren't 100% ready for can be the key to unlocking your potential.

This conversation is full of practical insights for any business owner or aspiring leader who wants to build a career on their own terms.

(This episode was originally recorded live for the Business Hour show on Most FM, thanks to our sponsor Social Kitchen).

Chapters:

(01:56) Jesse's Role at Osprey

(03:50) From Journalism to Leadership

(06:38) Navigating Career Changes

(10:18) Embracing Change and Taking Risks

(19:07) Leadership Philosophy: Clear but Kind

(23:29) Governance and Awards

(26:11) Campaigning for the Young Farmer's Board

(27:18) Understanding Governance and Strategic Thinking

(28:08) Balancing Strategy and Day-to-Day Work

(28:29) Lessons from Venture Taranaki

(31:26) The Importance of Preparation

(35:12) Challenges and Growth in the Rural Sector

(40:40) Coaching and Mentorship

(42:40) Future of the Dairy Industry

(46:22) Personal Aspirations and Career Goals

Google has officially rolled out AI Mode in New Zealand and Australia, and it's a MASSIVE change in how your customers will find you moving forward.

Join us in a quick, unedited and 'live' podcast episode with information about the announcement.

It's a shift from a list of blue links to a conversational, AI-powered assistant that provides direct, personalised answers.

The data from overseas shows that when these features roll out, website clicks can drop because users no longer need to leave Google.

In this episode, I'll give you a detailed breakdown of what AI Mode actually is and how it works. More importantly, using what we’ve already learned from its release in the US, I'll walk you through a clear, actionable plan to ensure your business remains visible. We'll cover the technical foundations, the type of content you need to create, and how to build the brand authority that AI is looking for.

01:28 The Shift from Traditional Search to AI Mode

02:21 Understanding AI Mode and Its Impact

05:30 Preparing Your Business for AI Mode

05:51 Strengthening Your Marketing Foundations

07:19 Building Trusted Visibility Outside Your Website

09:06 Leveraging AI-Powered Campaigns in Google Ads

09:49 Hands-On with AI Mode: Practical Tips

There's a fundamental shift happening in Meta's advertising platform, moving away from manual, interest-based targeting towards an AI-driven model.

On today's podcast we outlines how Meta's algorithm now uses the ad creative itself, from the images, video, and copy, as the primary signal to find the right audience.

We look at the practical implications for businesses, explaining why broad targeting is now more effective than niche audiences.

We examine actionable advice that urges business owners to focus on creating clear, direct creative and leveraging their first-party data, rather than getting lost in complex targeting settings.

The key takeaway is that success on Meta now depends on creative strategy, not just technical media buying skills.

02:01 The Shift to Creative-Driven Targeting

03:36 Embracing AI-Powered Audiences

05:47 The Importance of Creative Content

08:01 Adapting to Ongoing Changes

09:39 Key Takeaways and Action Steps

The way customers find you is changing faster than ever.

Traditional Google SEO isn't enough when nearly 60% of searches end without a click, thanks to new tools like AI Overviews.

So how do you get found, recommended, and chosen by AI like ChatGPT and Google Gemini?

In this episode, we cut through the noise. We'll break down exactly how these new AI gatekeepers decide which businesses to feature.

You'll learn the three most important factors that influence AI visibility. We'll give you a practical, no-nonsense plan to get your technical foundations in order, create content that AI wants to reference, and build the brand authority that makes you the obvious choice.

Stop optimising for yesterday's Google. Hit play to learn how to make your business visible in the new era of customer discovery.

Chapters:

• 01:01 The Shift in How Customers Find Businesses

• 02:00 The Importance of Brand Visibility in AI Tools

• 03:55 Key Factors Influencing AI Recommendations

• 06:40 Foundational Pillars for AI Visibility

• 06:47 Pillar 1: Getting Your House in Order

• 09:03 Pillar 2: Creating Answer-Ready Content

• 11:09 Pillar 3: Building Trusted Visibility

• 15:03 Long-Term Strategy

A slow-loading page, a clunky checkout, a recommendation that misses the mark. These small frustrations are no longer minor inconveniences; for 80% of your customers, just three of these 'bad experiences' are enough for them to walk away for good. In an era where AI is meant to be making everything smarter and faster, customer tolerance for any friction in the buying process is at an all-time low.

In this episode, Jordan sits down with Aarti from Done By Nine to unpack why a 'frictionless' customer journey is no longer a nice-to-have, but a critical foundation for growth in the AI era.

We'll explore the real cost of a clunky customer experience and why optimising this process is one of the most powerful moves you can make.

You'll learn the key friction points that are likely costing you customers right now, how to identify them in your own business, and the practical steps and tools you can use to create a seamless experience that not only keeps customers but turns them into advocates.

This isn't about a massive tech overhaul; it's about smart, strategic changes that will make you the easy choice for your ideal client.

Chapters and topics:

01:58 The Importance of Frictionless Customer Experience

03:14 Impact of AI on Customer Expectations

04:32 Personalisation and Consumer Behaviour

06:58 Speed and Convenience in Transactions

08:24 B2B vs B2C: Expectations and Challenges

10:29 AI Tools for Reducing Friction

14:23 Optimising Customer Experience with Data

16:51 Practical Steps to Audit and Improve Customer Journeys

In the second part of our conversation with Adam Harris from Frank and Fearless, we explore the role of the "integrator" – the person who turns vision into reality.

We break down why accountability can be a difficult concept for teams and how to build a culture where people feel safe to take ownership and have uncomfortable conversations.

Adam shares what good culture actually looks like (hint: it's not free drinks on a Friday) and discusses the mindset required to push through growth ceilings.

If you want to build a team that executes effectively and isn't afraid of accountability, this episode provides some great insights.

00:51 The Role of the Integrator and Accountability in Business

01:10 Building a Culture of Ownership and Clarity

03:23 Challenges and Dynamics Between Visionaries and Integrators

08:04 The Importance of Self-Awareness and Team Communication

11:31 Creating a Positive and Effective Company Culture

15:43 The Entrepreneurial Journey and Overcoming Challenges