scalr sagecast

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This week on scalr sagecast, I’m joined by the brilliant and always energetic Mark Puncher, CEO of Employer Branding Australia and one of the most passionate advocates for building workplaces where people actually want to be.

In this episode, we dig into all things EVP - what it is, what it isn’t, and why so many companies still get it wrong. We unpack the tension between aspiration and reality, the blurred lines between EVP and commercial branding, and the common traps businesses fall into when crafting their story.

Ma...

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Bit of a milestone for scalr sagecast this week - 50 episodes in, and what an amazing experience it's been so far and I couldn’t think of a better guest to mark this point than Marrin-Boyd Andrews (MBA)! 

I still think back to our last encounter at ATC 2024 in Melbourne. He presented on prompt engineering, and the packed room was on tenterhooks for the whole session. You could almost hear the collective mind being blown, such were the insights and takeaways he provided that day. 

MBA...

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This week, I’m joined by Simon Kearney, co-founder of Readiness and former elite sports performance coach. Simon spent over two decades in high-performance roles across AFL, NRL and professional tennis. 

Over the last 7 years, he's brought that experience into the workplace - helping organisations proactively support mental health and wellbeing through data-driven tools and human connection.

We cover a lot in this one:

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This week on scalr sagecast, I'm joined by Megan Luttrell, Founder of Kairos Recruitment and the driving force behind the Aussie Founders Club (AFC). Megan has carved out a niche in the startup ecosystem, helping founders make sense of the often chaotic world of recruitment, with clarity, focus and a real understanding of the pressures they face.

With over a decade in IT recruitment, Megan’s journey hasn’t been linear. From launching her own ventures to building communities that support founders at every stage, she continues to play a huge role...

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This week, I had a fantastic catch-up with my good friend and talent trailblazer, Lauren Sharp. She's the co-founder of TaPod and, along with the equally legendary Craig Watson, the driving force behind the Internal Talent Awards. We talked about all things talent, community and building something that matters.

We cover a lot in this one, from Lauren’s early career in the air to her move into recruitment, how TaPod came to life, and how she’s played a huge role in building one of the most connected Talent communities in A...

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This week, I’m joined by Brendan Lee. He's the Founder of BE Digital Group, a consultancy established to support businesses by implementing clear, scalable digital marketing strategies. 

With over 20 years' experience across marketing, sales and digital, Brendan has worked with countless businesses - from early-stage to established - across a variety of industries. His sweet spot is the ability to shift organisational mindsets, helping to modernise their approach and grow with purpose.

In this episode, Brendan shares:

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Welcome to a very special episode of scalr sagecast!

This week, we’re pausing the usual guest format to celebrate something close to my heart - the Melbourne Talent Meetup.

Over the past nine years, this community has grown into something pretty special. With 30+ in-person events, countless conversations, and an incredible group of people behind it, we thought it was the perfect time to take a moment and reflect.

I’m joined by my fellow organisers and legends of the meetup scene - Caitlin Clements, Stefan Welack, and...

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In this episode of scalr sagecast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Rita Anagnostopoulous, CEO at Transform and Grow, to dive deep into what it really takes to build high-performing teams and great cultures - especially in growing businesses.

Her career has taken her around the world and spanned sales, leadership development, and organisational transformation. Rita brings a wealth of experience in helping businesses scale, develop leadership capability, and create workplaces where people thrive.

Despite the scale she has worked at, and the success she has enjoyed, throughout...

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In this latest episode of scalr sagecast, I chatted with David Yip, an "optimistic technologist" and early-stage tech adopter, to explore how businesses need to rethink their approach to AI.

David has overseen large, complex transformational projects at some of the world’s biggest multinationals, including IBM. Now, through Impactive Systems, he helps organisations embrace AI in practical, impactful ways, navigating the hype to find real opportunities for growth and efficiency.

What stood out to me is David’s balanced view of AI - he’s enthusiastic but realistic, focusi...

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The latest episode of scalr sagecast features a truly insightful conversation with Megumi Miki - an accomplished leader who carved her own niche by challenging traditional leadership norms.

Through her professional, and personal, experiences, Megumi recognised that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room - it’s about authenticity, influence, and harnessing quiet strength. This realisation led her to build Megumi and Associates, where she now helps organisations embrace diversity, unlock hidden leadership potential, and create more inclusive cultures.

She’s also the author of the aw...

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In the latest episode of scalr sagecast, I caught up with Natalie Flynn, Founder of equidi, to talk about equity, inclusion and the evolving conversation around gender pay transparency.

With WGEA confirming 4 March as the next release date for employer gender pay gaps, the focus on workplace equity has never been sharper. Organisations will soon be under greater scrutiny, and the businesses that take proactive steps towards transparency and fairness will attract and retain top talent.

Nat and the team at equidi are at the forefront of this space...

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On this week's episode, I’m joined by David Neal, a leader whose career has been anything but conventional. After a distinguished decade-long military career, Dave didn’t take the usual transition period. Instead, he finished his service on a Friday, and by Monday, he was leading IT projects in the not-for-profit aged care sector.

Fast forward to today, where he's now CEO of The Eighth Mile Consulting. They specialise in training and education - helping businesses build stronger leadership skills, enhance cultural communications and manage conflict more...

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On this week's episode, I caught up with the wonderful Dart Lindsley, a visionary leader and trailblazer in workplace design and employee experience. Dart is passionate about transforming how organisations think about work, shifting the focus from simply getting the job done to creating meaningful, fulfilling experiences for employees.

A real thought leader, Dart believes that the key to a thriving organisation is understanding work as a product - one that must be designed with intention, empathy, and purpose. 

His innovative approach combines systems thinking, design methodologies, and a d...

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It had been a long time coming but, on this week's episode of scalr sagecast, I finally got to chat with Sean Grealy from SellAnything.

Sean’s flair for business started young. Despite coming from a blue-collar family and initially considering a painting apprenticeship, he always seemed destined to become an entrepreneur. His first venture? Selling soft drinks from his school locker during recess at high school - a clear sign he was destined to build something of his own!

That instinct led him to start his first business in...

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I was thrilled to sit down with Neil Kinnaird on the latest episode of scalr sagecast.

Neil has been at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence for over a decade, embracing its potential long before it became a global focus. As a thought leader in digital adoption, Neil has been instrumental in helping businesses and individuals leverage technology to create meaningful progress.

What struck me most about Neil’s story is how reflective he has been throughout his journey. He’s consciously worked to align “Work Neil” and “Home Neil,” str...

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Today’s guest is Sapia.ai's Head of Product, Peter Scott.  

Having started his career as a Systems Administrator, Peter found his passion for creating and building products by chance. He followed this passion and, having led Product teams for many scaling tech businesses, now leads Sapia.ai's charge to revolutionise hiring processes through modern AI tooling. 

Sapia.ai aim to help organisations make smarter, fairer and faster hiring decisions. They bring a human approach to video interviewing, something traditional tools are often criticised for not doing. 

In th...

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Today’s guest, Anthony Lakkis, is a shining example of how necessity can inspire success. Over the last few years, Anthony has not only learnt a new trade but also built his business, HighNote Marketing, to an impressive size, navigating the challenges with focus and determination.

Known as a "Master Delegator," Anthony excels at optimising results by honing in on his strengths and empowering those around him. His leadership style is a blend of efficiency and empathy, with a strong commitment to maintaining work-life balance and positive me...

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Happy New Year! We're back with a bang in 2025. Here's to a positive and productive year ahead!

On this week's episode, we’re joined by the wonderful, Ronan Leonard, whose journey is as diverse as it is inspiring. Ronan thrives on learning and growth - he's read over 500 books in the last eight years, which speaks volumes (pun fully intended!) about his dedication to continuous improvement.

He’s a lifelong learner and a mentor with a heart. Through his involvement with Mentoring Men, he’s played a pivota...

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To steal a quote from one of my favourite films, Groundhog Day, this week's guest is, "Punxsutawney Chris, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Talent Prophet Extraordinary...".

Chris Long has been in the talent industry for over 25 years, even starting when fax machines (remember them, kids?!) were a central part of a recruitment agency's toolkit.

Fast forward to today, where he works at the cutting edge of innovation and is an in-demand speaker at talent conferences around the globe. His presentations about the future of...

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Did you know? B2B companies with Account-Based Marketing (ABM) programs experience 38% higher sales win rates, 91% larger deal sizes, and achieve 24% faster revenue growth.

A well-defined marketing strategy, executed by a seasoned professional, is essential for achieving impactful results.

This week, I had the privilege of speaking with Paola Piccinno, a fractional marketing expert who helps global organisations refine their long-term go-to-market strategies through the power of Account-Based Marketing (ABM).

With a marketing career spanning two decades, Paola has perfected the art of identifying business challenges and...

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This week's episode is with the wonderful Rohan Watt, founder of Techie Stays. 

Rohan began his career in customer service in Australia before venturing to the UAE to join, what was then, an early-stage Aconex - a company that eventually sold for over $1 billion. 

He was there for over a decade so, five years ago, Rohan made the move to Phuket, Thailand where he started his entrepreneurial journey in earnest. After exploring various ventures, he founded Techie Stays, a platform used by hotels to automate processes and improve sales. 

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A consistent theme I've seen amongst entrepreneurs is the growing impact of mental health concerns. A staggering 72% of entrepreneurs report experiencing mental health challenges, including anxiety, burnout, panic attacks and dealing with at least one mental illness. 

This week’s guest, Amber Ward, has set up her company, Energy Atelier, to focus on a founder's mental fitness and well-being. Amber takes a holistic approach to wellbeing, encouraging founders to:

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In Australia, the current contingent workforce (a non-permanent employee who works for an organisation on a short-term basis, or for a specific project) sits at around 30%. With new generations entering the workforce and a post-COVID world where demand for flexibility is even greater, this figure is set to increase further in the coming years. 

Organisations, in tandem, are seeking greater flexibility in their workforce due to the ability to keep tighter control of costs and project-based headcount. 

More companies are creating platforms to help solve problems in the space, no...

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"I have some feedback for you...". One of the most anxiety-inducing phrases ever uttered. Generally, the conversation that follows is going to be negative so it was refreshing to speak with this week's guest, Lauren Humphrey, about how her platform, Tandem, is helping to change that. 

Studies conducted by Harvard show that the highest-performing teams have a 6:1 ratio of positive feedback to improvement-focused. Sounds obvious but talking about an individual's strengths reinforces skills and capabilities. 

Tandem is a platform that enables managers, and all employees, to give immediate, consistent an...

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Well, this was a fun one! 

On this week's scalr sagecast, it was great catching up with Brandon Burns. In such a short time, I felt like I had learnt so much. 

He has packed a lot into his 40 years, starting his early life starring in films and soaps in Australia, including the iconic Neighbours. His passion for singing then came to the fore, culminating in a semi-final spot in the first season of Australian Idol. He continues to pursue that passion with his own band and regular events.

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scalr sagecast - BONUS EDITION! 

I recently caught up with global traveller and thought leader, Hung Lee. To those of us in TA, for the last seven years, he's curated the fantastic recruitingbrainfood.com, a weekly digest on all things talent from around the world. 

I've been fortunate to spend some time with Hung over the years and even had him provide some exceptional insights at a Melbourne Talent Meetup a few years back. 

But who is the real Hung? How did...

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It was a real privilege speaking with this week's guest, Richie Williams. He is an inspirational figure in the coaching world. He remains incredibly down-to-earth, engaging, and eager to share what he has learned from over 35 years of coaching.

Having been a high-level footballer in his earlier years, his professional career has followed a central principle around teamwork to achieve successful outcomes. His work has taken him around the world on some high-profile projects but, and this is very telling of the man, when I asked about his greatest achievements, he...

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When my kids were a little smaller, I found one of them trying to swipe the TV to change the channel, as they'd seen it being done on an iPad. My first family TV was black and white, with four channels and no remote! 

I still find it fascinating the rate of change we're continuing to witness in today's modern, highly connected world. Barely 25 years ago (1997 - I looked it up!), the term 'digital nomad' was popularised due to the rise of technology that could support such a lifestyle. Now 17 million p...

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This week's guest is Grant Butteriss. 

A real innovator in the clothing and fast fashion space, Grant helped to transform Reform Clothing from a locally based (and well-respected) provider of school apparel in Melbourne to a global business that significantly reduced waste and revolutionised the design and manufacturing process. 

After a decade with Reform, seven at the helm, Grant decided a change was needed and has now started Butterfly Affect, a consulting and psychometric testing services business. 

I was fascinated by the processes and innovations that were cre...

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In a recent 'In-House State of the Market' webinar with JobAdder, we explored what feels like a pivotal moment for company culture. As more employers raise expectations around office attendance after nearly four years of remote and hybrid working, how will this shift impact long-term morale and culture?

This week on scalr sagecast, I spoke with the wonderful Felicity De Lang. 

Flic's expertise in working with People teams to pinpoint gaps and optimise processes shone through, offering valuable insights on how organisations can navigate these complexities.

I t...

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A friend recently sent me a meme of a baboon frantically clicking a mouse with the comment that this is what it's like completing a company's mandatory training. That's how it has always been in my experience and the same goes for any additional learning undertaken too.

So when I heard about Learna, I was intrigued to discover more about how a Melbourne-based entrepreneur was going about creating a potentially game-changing approach to a traditional challenge.

Lisa Lie, my guest this week, described Learna as, "...being like social media...

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I've been looking forward to welcoming this week's guest onto the show. Julian Bright was someone who wowed audiences at a Melbourne Talent Meetup earlier this year, talking about all things AI and the effect it will have on the talent industry. So I was naturally keen to learn more about his career history and experience. 

Julian is well-versed in AI, with 25 years of experience in software development, particularly in this evolving field over the past few years. He has created Fairgo.ai, an AI-enhanced video interviewing platform designed t...

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This week's scalr sagecast guest is Jordan Knight.

Jordan started her entrepreneurial journey two years ago, with her LinkedIn lead generation and content generation business, Spicy Pineapple Marketing. She supports individuals to create compelling messaging as well as maximise reach and impact with effective brand strategy.

Her journey has been an interesting one, having been one of the earliest suppliers of this growing niche. Mistakes have been made and lessons learnt.

Jordan shares some tips for elevating your LinkedIn presence during our discussion: what to post, how...

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The scalr sagecast is proudly brought to you by scalr, a recruitment and talent advisory business headquartered in Melbourne, Australia.

Want to identify potential gaps in your current TA process? Take the free TA Readiness Scorecard or reach out to the team for a free 30-minute discussion.

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scalr meets Sourcr. 

I met James Jennings at the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey with Sourcr in 2017. Fast forward to today: that business is now sold and he's exploring his next adventure. 

Drawing inspiration from another successful business, Rate My Agent, James made a radical change to their business model during COVID. One which, ultimately, led to the success they enjoyed and the SEEK acquisition in 2021. 

Hear about that experience, what trends he's seeing in the market and the best pieces of...

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A lot of people start businesses to grow, sell and profit. Others, like this week's guest, chose a different route, the lifestyle business. 

Mia Bowyer, Founder of One Earth Marketing, has a built marketing and content services business that automates an organisation's social media channels. She's grown a company that has allowed her to follow her main passions - travel, marketing and sustainability. 

This was a fascinating, highly energetic discussion with Mia even providing a crash course in building your social media function. Check out these tools: 

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Four per cent. 

That's currently the number of women founders who achieve funding from VCs (venture capitalists). It's an incredibly low percentage, making the successes of this week's scalr sagecast guest, all the more impressive. 

Nikki Tugano, MAPPCP was new to the tech scene when she started SeenCulture barely two years ago. During that time she has been on a rapid trajectory that has seen investment, a diverse team being built and the development of a platform that helps to shine a light on untapped po...

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Welcome to the latest episode of scalr sagecast!

This week we were joined by serial entrepreneur and now implementer of the highly-regarded business operating system, EOS, Col Cuthbert.

Col's love of helping businesses grow led to a very successful sales career before he became a partner at The Ayres Group. Over 11 years he oversaw huge growth and eventually sold the business, one of many during his career.

However, success can bring its challenges, leading Col to suffer an identity crisis following the sale, one that was only...

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I was delighted to be joined on this week's scalr sagecast by someone who I've been following since the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey, Shelin David CA. 

As well as being the CFO/Problem Solver for CFOWorx, she's also heavily immersed in the Melbourne start-up ecosystem, supporting women investors and entrepreneurs as part of Women For Impact, Shebacks.Me and Coralus. 

This was an inspiring conversation, learning how she fully embraced the COVID lockdown to build an...

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Was great speaking with Mr Candidate Experience himself, Steve Gard for this week's episode of scalr sagecast.

From working his way up to lead and grow TA functions, Steve realised he would never fully 'scratch that itch' by remaining as an employee. After COVID put paid to his TA consulting business, Benchmarcx was born along with The Circle Back Initiative, the phenomenally successful initiative geared towards increasing the quality of candidate experience across all industries. More information and how to sign up is here.

Was great to hear Steve's...