Real Math Of Business with Alena Bennett Podcast

Why Self-Trust Is the Hidden Engine Behind Faster Innovation & Problem Solving with Joy Poole #47

1.1K views · 1d ago · 1:07:50

Guest: Joy Poole

What would you do if you were the only one on ship that wasn't afraid of heights, and there was a problem 22 meters up one of the masts? Joy Poole, a former global director for Meta, who spent 18 months sailing around the world with her family, shares how uncertainty reshaped her understanding of leadership. She explains practical ways to build self-trust, distinguish danger from discomfort, and turn that steadiness into clearer decisions and faster problem-solving at work.

Topics: Thought Provoking Headline: Who Are These Stories For? · Navigating Change and Uncertainty · Sailing Around the World & Coming Back to Reality · Lessons in Self-Trust and Control · Facing Fears and Embracing Discomfort · Building Self-Trust Through Experience

Selling Without the Ick: The Simple Formula That Makes Sales Human with Emma McQueen - Ep. 46

2.6K views · 1w ago · 1:02:16

Guest: Emma McQueen

Do sales make you uncomfortable? Is it the one thing you didn't expect to need as a business leader? This week we are joined by Emma McQueen, Founder of Thriving Women, Business coach and author of the fantastic new book Selling Without the Ick

Topics: The Importance of Awards and Recognition · The Fascination and Boredom of AI · Selling Without the Ick · The Balance of Numbers and People · Empowering Women Through Financial Independence · The People vs. Numbers Debate

Why Paradigm-Shifting Innovation is Slowing Down with Prof. Edward Podolski - Ep. 45

2.6K views · 3w ago · 1:03:59

Guests: Prof. Edward Podolski, Prof. Ed Podolski. Check

Edward Podolski is a Professor of Finance and Head of the Finance Department at RMIT’s School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, and an Associate Editor for the Australian Journal of Management. He was Associate Professor at Deakin Business School, where he held leadership roles including Director of Research (Finance) and HDR Director for the Faculty of Business and Law.

Topics: TPH: ATO Removes Credit as Payment + No More Tap Pay Surcharge · The Fascination with Innovation · Why Innovation is the Bedrock of Society · Understanding Value vs Innovation vs Resources · Why Constant Change Creates New Systems · Paradigm-Shifting vs Routine Innovations

Aus Tax Office Bans Credit Card Payments! + Tap Payment Ban Impact on Small Business

6.3K views · 4w ago · 4:03

Two big changes to the way Aussies will deal with their finances occured this week. Alena breaks down the potential bigger impacts of this to the average Aussie.

Topics: Impact of Payment Surcharges Ban on Small Businesses · Reaction to Aus Tax Office Banning Credit Cards

Why "Switch" Thinkers Make Better Leaders with Dr. Ken Hudson - Ep. 44

3K views · 1mo ago · 1:02:20

Guest: Dr. Ken Hudson

Can you switch your perspective for 2 minutes? What if that could help solve a lot of problems? We are joined today by Dr. Ken Hudson. Dr Ken Hudson is the author of a new book called Switch Thinking (Wiley) which has just been released. It’s a book about change, creativity, switching your thinking, collaborating with others and working more productively with AI. Ken has a PhD in Organisational Creativity, a MBA and a Bachelor of Business.

Topics: Empowering Control Over Thinking · Core Values vs. Switchable Thinking · The Gap Between Stimulus and Response · The Two-Minute Switch Framework · The Problem Behind Switch Thinking · Dynamic Tension: People vs. Profit

Why SMEs Are Always Under-Resourced — And Why That Can Be Strategic with Bill Withers - Ep. 43

3.5K views · 1mo ago · 1:11:38

Guest: Bill Withers

If SME's are always under-resourced, how can that be an advantage? Today we are joined by friend of the podcast Bill Withers to talk about the SME advantage. In this insightful conversation, we explore the importance of succession thinking and how SME owners can build resilient businesses that thrive without them. We also chat about succession thinking, and why that is the only way as an owner to understand how to make work enjoyable.

Topics: Welcome to the Real Math of Business with Alena Bennett · Thought Provoking Headline: "Giftedness" Studies · Understanding the 100 People, 100 Math Concept · Opportunity Cost vs. Priority Opportunity Model · The Under-Resourced Nature of SMEs · Strategically Under-Resourced: A Choice for SMEs

The Four Questions That Help Leaders Solve Intractable Problems with Adrian Wolfberg - Ep. 42

3.2K views · 1mo ago · 48:46

Guests: Adrian Wolfberg, Adrien Wolfberg

What are intractible problems, and how do you solve them? In this episode, we are joined by Adrien Wolfberg to dive deep into how organizations can effectively generate, interpret, and act on knowledge under uncertainty.

Topics: The Intersection of Sectors: Business vs. National Security · Understanding the Four Ways of Knowing · The Importance of Context · Context and Decision-Making Dynamics · Intractable Problems in Organizations · Divergent Perspectives in Leadership

Clarity Beats Motivation — The Financial Mindset That Changes Everything with Amir Rodnia - Ep. 41

4.4K views · 1mo ago · 56:55

Guests: Clarity Beats Motivation, Amir Rodnia

Why does clarity beat motivation every time? And how can you begin to think about making more money per year without changing your job? In this episode, we chat to the fantastic Amir Rodnia. We dive deep into the concepts from his book, Freedom Game Plan, where he shares practical strategies to escape the wage cage and build wealth.

Topics: Thought Provoking Headline - Plastic to Cookies · Understanding the Wage Cage and Financial Freedom · The Importance of Financial Literacy · The Freedom Framework: Think, Plan, Do, Gear Up · The Real Math of Business: People vs. Numbers · People Over Profits: The Key to Business Success

Economic Exhaustion: Are You Feeling It? - Bonus Episode

8.6K views · 2mo ago · 5:42

Guest: Economic Exhaustion

This week, we wanted to drop off a bonus episode about something I am calling Economic Exhaustion. All of us have a lot on our plates, but how do you manage this as well? I share my experiences, my thoughts and my tips. Are you struggling with economic exhaustion? What are your tips for staying on top of it?

The Hidden Cost of Broken Trust: From the Boardroom to the Sporting Field with Errol Amerasekera

2.3K views · 2mo ago · 58:54

Guest: Errol Amerasekera

What can be the effect of not addressing an eye-roll in a meeting? Maybe it's nothing, or maybe it could be a symptom of a much deeper culture issue. In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of adaptive safety in organisations with Errol Amerasekera, author of "From Fear to Flow: The Adaptive Safety Revolution."

Topics: The Impact of Recent Events on Team Dynamics · Trust and Psychological Safety in High-Performance Teams · Cultural Standards vs. Performance Outcomes · The Shift from Extractive to Relational Performance · Understanding Relational Infrastructure in Teams · Role Clarity for Athletes and Professional Expectations

Athletes, Actors & Entrepreneurs: What High Performers Know About Pressure with Bernadette Schwerdt

2.3K views · 2mo ago · 1:03:17

Guest: Bernadette Schwerdt

What is it like to be in the headspace of someone just before they kick the goal after the siren to win the game? In this episode, Bernadette Schwert shares her unique insights on high performance, the importance of managing friction, and the power of curiosity and empathy in business and life. Discover practical strategies for achieving your goals and creating meaningful connections.

Topics: The Importance of Slowing Down · Introducing Bernadette Schwerdt · Bernadette's Career: From Actor to Author · What Connects High Performers: Athletes and Actors · Balancing Creativity/Performance with Money · Working in Your Area of Passion