In this first episode of 2024 James speaks with his colleague at Ai Group, the Director of Research and Economics Dr Jeff Wilson. In a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation, James and Jeff talk through the lessons from last year and the current economic trends framing the year ahead.
 
They then discuss the findings of the recently released report ‘Australian Industry Outlook 2024’. This annual report is an analysis and summary of the opinions of what is ahead in 2024 according to 300 business leaders in Australia.  The official release of the report says:
 
After three years of pandemic-induced disruptions and volatility, Australian industry enjoyed much more stable conditions in 2023. But as business leaders look out into the new year, they have real worries about uncertainty and stagnation in 2024.
 
This year, more than 300 senior leaders from across Australia responded to our eleventh annual Industry Expectations Survey. The report, due for release on 22 January, is a must-read resource to understand how business leaders plan to tackle the opportunities and challenges facing the Australian economy. It provides critical insights into how they anticipate the coming year will evolve. 
 
Industry leaders go into 2024 with significantly more caution and concern than 2023. They have identified uncertainty, ongoing cost pressures, labour shortages and weakening demand as the key challenges for the coming year.
   
It’s a fascinating report full of insights, and Jeff and James walk us through the key learnings. Its an episode that will help listeners prepare their business for the year ahead
 
To find out more about the various reports from Jeff’s team and to get details of the webinar on the details of the CEO report, head over to www.aigroup.com.au

Ai Group Supply Circles Podcast

An economist view of 2024 with Dr Jeff Wilson, Director of Research & Economics, Ai Group

Brand is business; business is brand’ with David Schloeffel, Chief Enabling Officer, Brandness.

In this insightful episode, David talks about using the company brand to build resilience into the business. 

“Brand is your biggest asset and it’s critical to the success of any business, regardless of size”, he tells host James Scotland.

In this fascinating conversation, David reveals:  
•	why a brand is essential to operations and supply lines; 
•	how the expectations and performance level on B2B (business-to-business) companies have changed as a result of our experiences with B2C (business-to-consumer) companies; 
•	why it’s important to ensure brand management is across the whole business and isn’t just a boardroom strategy; 
•	how to carry out a brand analysis that includes customers, suppliers and staff and  
•	how to transform from being product-based to brand-based — and why it’s important.   
 
Find out more about David on LinkedIn.

Brand IS business, Business IS Brand with David Schloeffel, CEO, Brandness

This is the final episode of ‘What on Earth...’ for now.  Over the summer break we did a strategic review and we’ve decided to take a break for now- we’ve covered the key issues many times and a short break will give provide an opportunity for the issues to develop before we re-analyse. 

The good news is the monthly ‘What on Earth….’ will be replaced by a new monthly podcast addressing the broad issues of Industry Development and Industry Policy. Stay tuned.

In this last episode, Paul is unavailable so James and Tennant look at the year ahead in the transition to the post carbon Australia.
•	Tennant gives a detailed review of the UN Climate Conference in Dubai, what he learnt by attending and what it means for Australai. 
•	The two discuss the Federal Government plans for a Climate Related Final Disclosure reporting process.
•	The proposal for Fuel Efficiency Standard for Australia and National Emission Targets.
•	And much more.

It’s a fascinating episode and well worth the listen.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our program. It’s been a pleasure to bring you our opinions and analysis. Let’s talk again, soon.

What On Earth - Episode 31: The final episode (for now).

Leann Webb is widely regarded the undisputed pioneer of the bid management industry in Australia. With over 20 years in the industry, Lean has a deep expertise in managing bid responses for major and mega project bids, particularly in the construction, infrastructure, transport, and defence sectors. She also helps small-to-medium sized enterprises to successfully respond to bids and  tenders.

In conversation with host James Scotland Leanne shares the secret to successful bidding and tendering. She also shares the pitfalls and common mistakes. 

The market is slowing in Australia and most businesses are experiencing softening demand and sales. This is a timely conversation and one not to be missed.

The keys to successful tendering with Leann Webb, Managing Director, Aurora Marketing

Innovation is a fascinating and often misunderstood concept when it comes to business and business operations, but not for today’s guest, innovation specialist David Martin. 

Host James Scotland gets into an engaging and enjoyable deep dive with David on what innovation means for business and what businesses need to do to thrive through innovation. The two address the good parts and the challenges of business innovation, and what it means for the future of business. 

It’s a rare opportunity to go deep into the issue with an excellent communicator and experienced operator in the sector.

Among many issues, the two discuss: 
-	What is innovation?
-	Is R&D the same as innovation?
-	The exciting options of the semiconductor industry
-	Is Australia good at innovation?
-	What does innovation mean for boards of directors, and for managers?
-	What are the ‘emerging industries’?
-	How do businesses become innovative?
-	What is leadership at the speed of leadership?
-	Innovation in asset management or in soft assets? What’s next? 
-	The joy of precedented vs unprecedented. 
-	And much, much more…

This is a fascinating and timely conversation and one not to be missed.

Innovate for business success with David K. Martin, Director Emerging Industries & Innovation

Generative AI is here and is a major game-changer for business and supply chains. In this episode, A.I. specialist Dave Phung guides us through the confusing and often challenging task of understanding the opportunities and challenges of AI in the workplace, and in implementing it.

Dave tells us what AI can do for your business and how to help staff accept it. He also addresses the elephants in the room and clarifies many of the concerns that currently exist with the new technology.

A good episode with lots of chunky nuggets of insights and learning.

About Dave Phung:
• Dave is the Chief Disruptor at GPTStrategic, where he leads the implementation of Generative AI strategies for clients. With a career spanning over two decades, he has a track record of blending human-centered design with disruptive technology to deliver impactful projects for organizations such as GE, Fidelity Investments, Australian Open, Penfolds Wine, US Golf Association, Sony Playstation, and many others.

• Connect with Dave on LinkedIn at https://au.linkedin.com/in/davidphung

Here’s the link to the new Ai Group podcast DBrief: Episode 1 https://www.aigroup.com.au/news/podcasts/2024/d-brief/episode-1-march-2024/

Why you need A.I. in your business now’ with Dave Phung, Chief Disruptor, GPTStrategic

Sarah returns to provide clarity to the confusing plethora of announcements coming out of government regarding the Defence Industry. With her usual insightful commentary Sarah explains what’s going on, what is means for business and what we should do next to capture the opportunity.

In a wide-ranging and engaging conversation,  Sarah explains the many recent announcements and what they provide for businesses: 
•	The review of Australian Navy surface fleet review (Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant review )
•	The important (to business) ‘The Defence Industry Development Review’
•	The plans for building a very large SovereignDefence Ship Building capability
•	The challenges of creating sovereign supply chains with truly Australian SMEs 
•	The concerns regarding skills shortage in STEM
•	The steps businesses should take to get ready for the emerging Defence Industry
•	And much more.

This is a fascinating, important, and timely conversation and one not to be missed.

Emerging opportunities in Defence Industry supply chains with Sarah Pavillard, CEO Adriota

Ai Group’s head of National Workplace Relations Policy, Brent Ferguson, speaks to Thomas Oriti on ABC NewsRadio, discussing Ai Group’s submission to the Fair Work Commission on the minimum wage.

Annual Wage Review – Ai Group submission

To coincide with Anzac Day, this episode unpacks the concerning emerging issue for ex-Defence personnel in your business and your supply chain. The Defence Amendment (Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets) Bill 2023 came into law in Australia on the 8th April 2024. The act has two arms: the first impacts ex-Defence personnel and ex-Department of Defence staff, the second affects ‘Australian citizens’. Both carry penalties up to 20 years imprisonment.
At face value, the need to safeguard Australian military secrets makes total sense- it’s a no-brainer…  but as the episode’s guest explains, the Act has raised concerns in the business community. To many, it looks like it achieved ‘The Law of Unexpected Consequences’.  
And today’s guest is not only perfect for the task at hand, she’s also a fascinating guest in her own right: Rhiannon Willis is an emerging leader in her field, a highly qualified lawyer. She has a history in procurement and business, and she is extremely knowledgeable in the impacts of this new regulation. James and Rhiannon have an engaging and interesting conversation. Well worth a listen.
In this episode, James learns about Rhiannon (an interesting tale) and her career to date (also fascinating) and then the two deep dive into the new regulations: 
•	What is it?
•	How will it impact individuals and companies?
•	What it might mean for the hiring of highly trained ex-Defence people?
•	The possible implications for your upstream and downstream supply chains.
•	And more. 
James and Rhiannon also discuss other current legal issue such as cyber-security and ESG.
And we find out of the connection between Rhiannon and England and Wales. 
To find out more about SAMS, here are some helpful links: 
•	Here’s the main defence page explaining SAMS.  
•	Here’s the parliament site which sets out the history of the legislative process for this Act and includes explanatory memoranda, links to the various versions of the Bill and ministerial speeches on the intended impact of the Bill.
•	Here’s the link to the Act itself.

The new challenge for ex-Defence personnel in your Supply Chains with Rhiannon Willis

In this episode, we hear a story of Australia, of Australian manufacturing, of innovation and change, of resilience and adaptability.

And of the ups and downs of family ownership as the business grows, adapts, and changes from generation to generation. 

It’s not a sexy business or a sexy range of products. But it’s the story of persistence, resilience and change.

It’s the story of Everhard Industries, a 98 year-old business in Geebung, Brisbane, Queensland: an Australian family-owned manufacturer of Drainage, Wastewater and Environmental solutions for residential and commercial applications. Everard has been the long-time market leader in laundry units and sinks for the home. 

Back in 1926, Everhard pioneered the original concrete laundry tub in Queensland – a key part of homes in the suburbs and in the bush.  From this humble beginning, the company has built itself into a modern manufacturer and importer of environmentally conscious materials and sustainable manufacturing techniques.

Gina Boyce- Rowe is a direct descendant of the founder of the business and now has the top job, having taken over the Chair from her mum; She shares with us the story of the business, the challenges, the big decisions to change, and her role as Chair. She also tells us how she went from being a critical care nurse to Chair of one of Queensland’s best manufacturers.

It’s a fascinating story- one not to be missed.

The new challenge for ex-Defence personnel in your Supply Chains with Rhiannon Willis

Ai Group

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