It’s always nice to speak to a business leader who understands the power of community. Jarrod Stephenson is the GM of CadMac: agricultural machinery specialists with branches in Southern Riverina and North East Victoria. He tells us how his company connects with the local agricultural community to (literally) keep the wheels turning, and how he has overseen change in the business to move its focus away from the bottom line and towards becoming ‘purpose led’.

Agtech is certainly an exciting sector. Where previously a firm like CadMac would spend most of their time servicing or repairing machinery, they are now expected to provide innovative tech solutions. He tells us a bit more about ‘precision farming’ and how agtech in general is revolutionising the way things are done in the agricultural sector. This provides an interesting challenge… how exactly can people be persuaded to adopt technology in a sector steeped in tradition, with family businesses that go back multiple generations?

Listen in to find out how Jarrod has navigated through Covid to deliver a record-breaking 2021 for CadMac, and how he has guided the company through a period of change without forgetting any of its community spirit.

Episode Highlights: 
-The definition of a purpose-led business
-How to successfully target family businesses
-Innovation in the agricultural space
-Why uni life wasn’t suitable for Jarrod
-How Jarrod made the transition from small to large company
-How Jarrod learnt to make change in a bigger organisation
-How CadMac rode out Covid when farmers were not spending any money
-How CadMac invests in its staff
-The difference between being a branch manager and a GM
-The growth opportunities in agtech
-How agtech is enabling lower chemical use and staff costs
-How the disruption to the labour force during Covid affected fruit farming
-How to persuade people who don’t think they need new technology
-Why farming machinery is far easier to operate now than ever before
-The national trend of people moving out of the cities
-The importance of integrating with local communities 




Jarrod Stephenson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrod-stephenson-81167b63/ 
Cad Mac Website: https://cad-mac.com.au/ 
Richard Triggs on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs/ 
Arete Website: https://www.areteexecutive.com.au/

Arete Podcast 

181 - Jarrod Stephenson - General Manager - CadMac

Arete Executive Podcast hosted by Managing Partner Richard Triggs. 

Interview with Paul Pisasale, Mayor, City of Ipswich

Richard Triggs LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs

Paul Pisasale LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/paulpisasale

Arete Executive website: www.areteexecutive.com.au

City of Ipswich website: http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/

Richard's book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com.au/Uncover-Hidden-Job-Market-Executive-ebook/dp/B00WCQ5U46/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445566942&sr=8-1&keywords=uncover+the+hidden+job+market

LinkedIn CEO Incubator Group: https://www.linkedin.com/grps/CEO-Incubator-6948255/about?

Theme music by Simon Gardner "Sunny" from the album "Choose Your Own Adventure": http://simongardnerguitarist.com

Arete Podcast - Episode 59 - Paul Pisasale - Former Mayor - City of Ipswich

Arete Executive Podcast hosted by Managing Partner Richard Triggs. 

Interview with Page Maxson, CEO, Australia Pacific LNG

Richard Triggs LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs

Page Maxson LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/page-maxson-3ba15113

Arete Executive website: www.areteexecutive.com.au

APLNG website: https://www.aplng.com.au/

Richard's book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com.au/Uncover-Hidden-Job-Market-Executive-ebook/dp/B00WCQ5U46/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445566942&sr=8-1&keywords=uncover+the+hidden+job+market

LinkedIn CEO Incubator Group: https://www.linkedin.com/grps/CEO-Incubator-6948255/about?

Theme music by Simon Gardner "Sunny" from the album "Choose Your Own Adventure": http://simongardnerguitarist.com

Arete Podcast - Episode 70 - Page Maxson - Former CEO - Australia Pacific LNG

Diversity among executive ranks is important and comes up for discussion regularly in our field. Most often it’s in relation to gender but also in the context of sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious orientation, age, disability, and so on. 

As someone who literally sits between the job market and the employers, and who has done so for the past 17 years, I’ve had plenty of first hand experience in understanding the agendas of employers and the dynamic of the market applying for the roles. And while there have definitely been problems with diversity at the executive and board  level in the past, I’m pretty optimistic about the changes that are happening and the trends we can expect in the coming years. 

Episode Highlights: 

Breaking the glass ceiling for women
The changing working life span
Proven performers
Breaking the bamboo ceiling
Male, pale and stale
Getting a jump on the market

Richard Triggs LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs

Arete Executive website: www.areteexecutive.com.au

Richard's book on Amazon: areteexecutive.com.au/free-book/

Arete Podcast

105 - The Diversity Debate In Executive Recruitment

I often get approached by people looking to build a board career. Many are just starting out, while others might already have one or sometimes two board roles, and are looking to grow a full portfolio of boards to keep them occupied after retiring from their executive life. 

Other times people have a desire to move into a board career earlier in their life. The good news is there are more opportunities than ever as the desire for diversity increases, not only in terms of gender, but also age and other attributes. 

There a few things you can do to ensure success that I outline in this episode. 

Episode highlights:

The desire for diversity on boards - more opportunities for young people and female executives
Start off small and work to build a full portfolio
Starting a board career is like starting a new career altogether
Don’t bank on your current skill set - complete the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) course
The importance of being on the board of a not-for-profit
Using not-for-profits to learn and grow, and network for other opportunities 
Joining a board you have a genuine connection with - a cause that sits close to your heart
Examples from podcasts with Ian Klug and Grant Murdoch
Following the steps outlined in my book, Uncover The Hidden Job Market
Building a rapport with the chair of boards to ensure you receive opportunities 
Don’t pigeonhole yourself - keep your options open

Richard Triggs LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs

Arete Executive website: www.areteexecutive.com.au

Richard's book on Amazon: www.amazon.com.au/Uncover-Hidden-J…idden+job+market

107 - How To Build A Career As A Board Executive

I spoke in this episode of the Arete Podcast to Tim Dwyer, business growth specialist, mentor and leader, about building a solid foundation, how to avoid recruiting mistakes, and investing in future growth. 

Tim’s philosophy is that good business is about creating the most amount of value in the shortest amount of time. 

He says a lot of people start a business with grandeur in mind but end up lost along the way because of simple mistakes. 

Tim is currently the Managing Director of Sunshine Coast-based Shirlaws Group and Group Partner at Business Of Brand and Growth Metrics. All three companies offer expert business consulting on everything from basic foundations, to sales and revenue, and consistent growth. 

I’m sure you’ll find this episode as interesting as I did...

Richard Triggs LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs

Arete Executive website: www.areteexecutive.com.au

Richard's book on Amazon: www.amazon.com.au/Uncover-Hidden-J…idden+job+market

108 - Tim Dwyer Interview - Building A Brand Ready For Growth

There’s one topic in the recruitment industry that continues to divide people: the fees charged by recruiters, especially those in the executive search space, for their services.

Despite it being a hot topic for years now, little has changed, although it definitely needs to. 

This episode covers: 

Who’s who in the zoo 
The power of LinkedIn - 99% of white-collar executives have a profile
Research is no longer difficult
Blue-chip brands no longer a guarantee for a successful search
Are you wasting your money? 
Arete Headhunted Shortlists package offering
The change in technology and the need for change in the industry

Richard Triggs LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs

Arete Executive website: www.areteexecutive.com.au

Richard's book on Amazon: www.amazon.com.au/Uncover-Hidden-J…idden+job+market

109 - Are You Wasting Money On Expensive Executive Search Fees

Arete is a Greek word that essentially means “the fulfilment of one’s full potential”. Or as the famous Greek author Homer wrote, “where heroes gather to realise their full potential”.

The Arete podcast is designed to showcase the careers of leading CEOs, Chairs and other successful senior leaders.  Rather than a formal interview, this is a relaxed “fireside chat” style conversation, where Richard Triggs talks to the guest about their careers, key achievements, lessons learned along the way, and other interesting elements about how their careers have unfolded over the years.

The idea is that aspiring and incumbent C-Suite executives and Non Executive Directors will have the ability to listen to those “who have walked the path before them”, in order to gain some insights and wisdom, and thereby accelerate the listener’s own career to its fullest potential.

Richard is the Managing Partner of Arete Executive, a boutique executive search firm based in Brisbane. 

Richard Triggs’ new book “Uncover the Hidden Job Market – How to find and win your next Senior Executive role” was released in 2015.


181 - Jarrod Stephenson - General Manager - CadMac

Richard Triggs

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