Talking Business with Alan Kohler

Fred is an award-winning serial entrepreneur, most famous for co-founding Australia's leading personal finance comparison website Finder. With business partner, Frank Restuccia, the pair bootstrapped Finder in 2006 and grew the business to be worth about $250 million, operating in 83 countries, seeing 10 million unique visitors each month – all with no funding! Fred spearheaded the group's venture capital arm, Finder Ventures, to launch new business ideas. The first was a cryptocurrency brokerage, HiveEx.com, which traded $100 million in its first year. More recently, Fred is led the Finder App launch on February 2, 2020, which is an Australian-first that will connect your bank accounts and automatically compare products for you. Fred speaks at events around the world, is a regular media commentator and columnist, and launched a startup community called The Disruptors' Club.Fred talks about his journey, challenges and learnings from building startups without funding, growth hacking, brand, culture, being bold, innovation & the finder App..See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel is the Managing Director of Chironix which operates throughout A/NZ and the USA. He has a deep interest in artificial intelligence, space technologies, mobile robotics, human memory, cyber operations, cognitive studies & social processes. Daniel also served for two years in the Navy Strategy Executive in the Office of the Chief of Navy as the Deputy Director of Technological Solutions. Chironix’s Machine Learning and Data Engineering team provides consultancy services with significant expertise in delivering effective solutions to our clients through the process of human machine teaming. This forms a core capability from which their product arms interact. Augmenting this centralised capability are two product verticals: Robotics and wearables. The Robotics capability is focussed on autonomous field robotics performing tasks that either humans should not be doing (as we do not do them well), or roles which are dangerous too humans. The final vertical is in wearables, where they have collaborated with Google X as a foundation partner with Glass for Enterprise — the new Google Glass. Daniel is also a Research Fellow with the Perth USAsia centre where he writes on strategy (both national and military).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PT Blink is a technology platform that enables multi-storey developments to be built very quickly, via its unique Design, Manufacture & Integrate  (DMI) process. It is a quantum leap for the Property Development Market. The open nature of the PT Blink DMI Platform encourages a local community of participants that bring expertise in specific areas. From structural design to interior and exterior component design (facades, glazing, bathrooms modules, etc) through to manufacture, the platform is designed to accommodate multiple stakeholders in a collaborative ‘design to manufacture’ process.  Murray, who is also a governor of the Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering at Sydney University, has developed scalable building technology using a patented steel structural backbone strengthened using post-tensioned steel cables. The components are all manufactured and stressed off site, with reinforcement, fire collars and services included. The solutions do not rely on the lift core for stability empowering much faster outcomes. While PT Blink is a start-up, it’s been three decades in the making. Murray has worked around the world on large and complex projects. He developed post-tensioned steel technology for long-spanning projects like stadiums and aircraft hangars and recognised the potential for multi-storey construction. Physically the backbone is made from post-tensioned steel in a factory, no matter how tall or wide the development. The platform forms the incredibly accurate motherboard for each approved manufacturer. They provide their manufacturing model onto the blink platform, together with cost, delivery time and quality attributes. At the heart of PT Blink’s process is an innovative delivery method – design, manufacture and assemble or DMA – which is safer, more accurate, faster and cheaper.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neville Vincent is Vice President, South Asia Pacific at enterprise cloud and hyperconverged infrastructure leader Nutanix. An industry veteran, Vincent is a senior entrepreneurial sales leader with more than 20 years’ experience across the Asia Pacific. He joined Nutanix in August 2018 and is focused on changing the nature of organisations’ IT environments for the better. Hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) is the company’s bread and butter and they tell that story through the lens of solving business and tech challenges. HCI isn’t a well-known topic to many business leaders in Australia and Asia – but Nutanix believes it’s a vital part of solving some of businesses’ key challenges this decade. These include avoiding disruption from competitors and data security / sovereignty. We’ve all seen the Ubers and the Airbnbs of the world and what they’ve done, quite quickly, to long-standing incumbents and even entire industries. Advancements in technology and the speed at which new competitors can gain a foothold and undo companies is now a threat for every business. To avoid disruption and companies need to be able to disrupt themselves and move faster. That’s where HCI comes in.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. King is a specialist Radiation Oncologist, founder of Tobacco Free Portfolios, a former elite swimmer and Team Doctor for the Australian Swimming Team. Social entrepreneur, movement maker and a globally renowned humanitarian on a mission to inspire and transform organisations into purpose driven and sustainable businesses. Some of the first patients Bronwyn cared for at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre were suffering from lung cancer. However, while doing her best to treat these people, Bronwyn was unaware she was also supporting the global production of cigarettes. It was only during a meeting with a representative of her superannuation fund in 2010 that Bronwyn learned some of her money was flowing to tobacco companies through the default option of her superannuation fund. In the knowledge that many of her colleagues would be similarly unhappy with their unwitting investment in the tobacco industry, Bronwyn approached First State Super which had shortly before merged with Health Super. Following numerous meetings and a presentation to the Board, First State Super undertook a detailed analysis of the issue and in 2012, proudly made the decision to go tobacco free. Bronwyn is delighted with the willingness of the finance industry to engage and act on this issue. The work of the Tobacco Free Portfolios now has a global focus. She discusses the Stamp of Approval Program that now replaces the old Tobacco Free Portfolios Verified Tobacco Free program. The initiative now has an extensive global reach with Tobacco Free Portfolios working with 100+ pension funds, Sovereign Wealth funds, banks, insurers and fund managers in twenty countries. Bronwyn has received countless awards in recognition of her outstanding expertise and accomplishments. Most notably, she was awarded an Order of Australia (AO) in 2019 for distinguished service to community health and named 2019 Melburnian of the Year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carla's business is known as a venue finder. Big businesses go to her to find out where they should host their events, conference, meetings. The website covers venues and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE). The regional conferencing solution allows conference organisers to select a region and add suppliers they like to a wish list before receiving all the suppliers' details in a checklist format in their inbox. Organisers then contact each supplier directly, maintaining control of their event at all times.  The streamlining saves an estimated 10 to 15 hours of planning and research. She is from NSW’s Southern Highlands and advocates for practical bushfire recovery. She discusses working hard to promote fire affected regions to attract business trade back into the areas. The hotels and venues suffered major cancellations and they are really struggling & there is a need to provide real economic support for the local ‘mid-week’ economy. Carla explains which areas are ready for business, the flow-on effects of conferencing in regions and why this is one of the easiest ways to meet your company's CSR goals for the year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jean-Christophe (JC) de Beaulieu joined the business in February as Head of Investments, Australia and Zhe Chen joined late last year as Associate Portfolio Manager, Research. Acadian Australia is wholly-owned by Acadian Asset Management LLC (collectively, Acadian). Acadian Asset Management LLC is a U.S. SEC-registered investment management firm based in Boston. The investment team in Australia is part of the broader global team and tailors Acadian’s quantitative investment process to manage Australian equities strategies. JC leads the local investment team that runs a range of long only and long/short systematic Australian equity strategies, and he will have both portfolio management and research responsibilities. Prior to joining Acadian, JC was the Managing Director of the active emerging market equity portfolio management team at State Street Global Advisors. In this role, JC drove the top-down and bottom-up research agenda while managing a global team of investment professionals. JC also represented active long only, long short emerging, and frontier equity strategies with clients and consultants. He has a strong quantitative background, and - importantly for the ongoing development of the Acadian business in Australia - extensive experience of running a team that tailors a global systematic possess for regional and country portfolios. Acadian is not a passive / index investor, not your traditional active manager. Rather it is a systematic manager that looks at up to 90 factors to determine where to invest. And it reviews those factors daily. These factors range from macro-economic, to stock/asset specific through to ESG. This enables Acadian to compare assets of different types – equities, fixed income, etc and how to develop multi-asset portfolios through to specific ones like income-generating portfolios. Broadly discusses low rates, increased uncertainty & what's next for investors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MOVUS is a Brisbane company that develops and provides an intelligent device that monitors the condition of industrial equipment. The MOVUS FitMachine is attached to industrial machinery and uses a sensor to monitor the machine’s vibration, temperature and acoustics. It sends an alert, using artificial intelligence, at the first detection of machinery malfunction, saving business owners’ valuable time and money. The hockey puck shaped sensor is called FitMachine, which is described as a 'FitBit' for heavy equipment, mainly found in manufacturing. It simply attaches itself magnetically to machines. FitMachine works by combining AI technology/algorithms to 'teach' itself (machine learning) once it is attached to equipment. Since its inception in 2015, the company has grown to 25 full-time staff and has moved to a new office in Spring Hill. Along the way, the company has been supported by several government grants and was also a finalist at the 2018 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards. He says: ‘Employees are very much at the heart of everything we do,” says Brad. 'One of the most unexpected benefits of owning a small business in Brisbane is building a top-notch team; Brisbane has become such a vibrant, diverse and multicultural city over the past 20 years.’ He says the biggest challenge is educating the market. Because he says the product is so unique and innovative, we need to educate the industry, prospects and clients. MOVUS has a great board of advisors, comprised of accomplished and experienced professionals with lots of business and industry experience. His purpose is in "fixing the planet, one sensor at a time". By this, he means to try and keep machines maintained and running for as long as possible, to delay or prevent them from becoming industrial/electrical waste. Thus trying to make a sustainable contribution which also is financially beneficial to businesses because they're not having to replace parts or can avoid costly shut downs in production. He is a big advocate for Made in Australia and believes this also helps to keep local talent in jobs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With 30 years of experience, Ray Brown is actively involved in strategy, design, and oversight of projects, working across multiple teams in mixed-use commercial, residential, education, and cultural sectors. Sensitive to how buildings relate to their surroundings, Ray understands urban context and believes the best design solutions are underpinned by rigorous analysis and supported by open and collaborative client engagement. He advocates for design that is led by end-user perspectives to achieve commercial viability, efficiency, and civic value. He has formed successful collaborative relationships with several prestigious international architects, most notably with acclaimed German studio Christoph Ingenhoven to co-design the multi award winning 1 Bligh Street and residential tower 505 George Street. A conceptual and forward-thinker, Ray is skilled in identifying opportunities for innovation, especially in the areas of sustainability and responsible urban development. Ray has been a driving force as Architectus explores new territory in high-efficiency facade design and natural ventilation technologies that will significantly reduce the carbon footprints of future buildings. Architects has experience substantial growth over the last three years, comprising 400 employees nationally across Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. Ray is an active member of the Australian Institute of Architects and from 2009 - 2013 was Studio Leader for the Master of Architecture program at the University of New South Wales focusing on complex urban projects.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before founding thedocyard, Stuart practised as a corporate lawyer both in a large law firm partnership with Colin Biggers & Paisley in Sydney and in-house with the Tesco Group, a Fortune 100 company in London.  With over 15 years’ experience as a corporate transactional lawyer and as an admitted solicitor in both NSW and England & Wales, he has acted for a variety of large private and listed corporate clients, primarily on M&A and transactional matters. This deep experience both on the advisory and client side is what led to the insights from which thedocyard was created. About thedocyard: thedocyard is a cloud-based deal space built specifically for managing the entire lifecycle of any corporate or commercial transaction. With thedocyard’s dealtech solution, all project documents, communication and management are in one place. It is designed and used specifically to be an organisation-wide solution for internal and external collaboration between all stakeholders on both sides of a deal. thedocyard takes people into a modern, secure all-in-one cloud-based environment to run every aspect of their deal. It significantly optimises the process and the experience for all deal participants. He says they are a proudly Australian technology company that is determined to take the world by storm. ‘We are on a mission to be a leading provider of deal technology to the world and have made significant headway on that already.’See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travis Osborne, the CEO of Mobile Tyre Shop. As the name suggests, he has a fleet of 40 vehicles that will go to a person's work or home and change their car tyres. Travis got a fair bit of publicity in 2015 when he went on Shark Tank and two sharks agreed to buy into the business. Back then his turnover was $1 million and he had a valuation of $2.5 million. The two sharks agreed to pay $250,000 for a 10% share but the deal never went ahead.  Five years later, Travis expects to have 100 vehicles on the road by the end of the year and if he achieves that the business will be valued at around $100 million. Investor David Williams has bought into the business and is Chairman. Mobile tyre businesses are very big in other parts of the work, and Michelin recently bought a 40% share in one in Europe. In Australia, the tyre market is a $5.6 billion industry so Mobile Tyre Shop only needs a small percentage to be a much bigger business. The company doesn't stock any tyres so can use any of the 7,500 types on the market.  Travis says of the business:‘Mobile Tyre Shop is changing the way Australians replace their tyres. Busy families don’t have the time to sit around in draughty old workshops waiting for their tyres to be done. Especially on Saturdays, when there’s footy training, netball, shopping... and the dog needs to go to the vet. Too much hassle! Now they can easily choose their tyres online or over the phone with our qualified tyre specialists. Then Mobile Tyre Shop goes to them. At home, work - just about anywhere - professionally fitting and balancing tyres, 7 days a week'.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben is an experienced leader focused on creating value, by providing the kind of experiences that leave customers, the company and the community better off. An entrepreneurial problem solver who delights in promoting the talent of the people around him, further enabling them to make their own unique contribution. Quick to smile with a real love of learning, a speaker of 4 languages, a movie fan and an avid reader with over 27 years' experience demonstrating innovation and achievement, with a wide range of skills acquired in roles in Exhibition (Retail) and Distribution. Skilled in Leadership, General Management, Business Development, Marketing, Sponsorship, Acquisitions, Production and Sales. Also sits on various boards and was Winner of the 2017 CEO AWARD from the Independent Cinemas Association of Australia. Discusses: The Palace cinema story & What does it take to maintain a successful family business. How is Palace Cinemas adapting to remain competitive in the ever-changing entertainment industry. How is the cinema landscape is changing in response to streaming services? What do Australian consumers want from the movies, beyond the film? Is investing in the cinema experience the key to their success?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marie has been in the role as the leader of the G20’s only dedicated infrastructure organisation for nearly a year now and has great insights to share about the organisation, its key pillars and new initiatives moving into 2020. Marie was previously the head of APAC for Atkins Acuity, the advisory business of Atkins and SNC Lavalin group. Before joining Atkins in 2015, she headed the Infrastructure Initiatives department of the World Economic Forum, where she led their thought leadership activities, publishing several reports on best practices in the infrastructure sector. She led the dissemination effort of these best practices to governments and advocated to coalitions such as the B20 and the G20. Recently the GiHub launched InfraChallenge, a global infrastructure competition designed to drive disruption in the infrastructure industry – a sector that has been slow to embrace digital change. For your background, the GI Hub is a G20 initiative launched at the G20 meeting in Brisbane in 2014, and is based in Sydney, with a global mandate to help support public and private investment in quality infrastructure around the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.