Listen in to get an amazing insight into how one family has gone taken an idea from start-up to international business in just 10 years. Huds & Toke is a pet food company based on the Sunshine Coast, with a great story to tell.Co-founder Russell Gibbons provides a masterclass on the keys to building vertically integrated businesses with complex omn…

Today episode is an engaging café style chat with two supply chain specialists: Host James Scotland sits down with his old mate Andy Brightmore for a wandering and endearing chat on all things supply chain. Listen in to hear the two have another of their usual fun and unstructured wanderings through the issues of business and life today. Topics cov…

Everyone’s favourite CEO returns to the podcast to talk us through the current issue facing the Australian economy, and what impact could they have on business operations.Innes delivers a masterclass in macro-economics covering such as issues as - The upcoming Federal election: when will it be held and who will win.- The latest on the significant c…

In this episode, host James Scotland ask Adam Blake: ‘How do we, in Australia, build resilient and sustainable supply chains in and from Australia’.Blundstone Australia is a 150-year, family-owned, Hobart-based, globally-successful boot and apparel manufacturer. The company sells over 3 million pairs of boots annually to multiple markets in over 70…

In this episode, Jim Wilson mounts a passionate and cogent argument for the global shipping industry, especially in support of the industry’s performance during the Covid years.James and Jim discuss the current issues of the industry and look to the future. Issues discussed include:Recent and future expectations of container pricingThe issues for s…

Digitalisation is a core subject of this podcast, and today we deep dive into digital disruption in supplier engagement and business matching. James and guest Tim Walmsley investigate the challenge of building a successful digitalised business from start-up. It’s a great discussion, and Tim provides lots of good insights including:• The LEAN start-…

What’s the China market really like? What’s it like to start a business in China? To be a supplier? To be a buyer?What’s the difference between an Italian craftsman and a Chinese worker?Are we ahead or behind the average Chinese worker in terms of technology use and adoption?In this episode, James chats with China expert Susan Heffernan about her d…

What’s the difference between the Circular Economy and Circular Supply Chains? In this episode, supply chain specialist Brendan O’Keefe addresses the difference between the two and provides a raft of insights in the way forward. James and Brendan speak of the importance of moving past the take/make/use/ dispose mentality into a less wasteful, less …

A special edition of Supply Circles to recognise and celebrate National Reconciliation Week 2024. Our guest is Daniel Joinbee and this is a ‘do-not-miss’ episode. In this fascinating café-style chat, James and Daniel talk about professional procurement, the role of indigenous businesses in supply chain, the tips for being a preferred supplier, the …

Business is a human-centred endeavour, and the one thing you can guarantee about people is that they change constantly. So one of the challenges for businesspeople is to keep up-to- date with the shifting needs and attitudes of your customers and stakeholders.In this episode, James and Leanne discuss ways to engage the multiple relationships within…

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, resilienc…

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 o…

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…

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.Di Ai Group

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 man…

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. …

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 …

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…

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 fascinati…

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 repor…

Louise McGrath has been working in international trade for decades and now represents Ai Group and Australian industry at global industry meetings around the world.In this engaging conversation James and Louise share humorous stories and insights into the keys to effective cross-cultural communication in business, supply chains and international me…

For this last episode of the year James chats with Kerryn Fewster, the CEO of Change 2020 about the year that’s been, the year ahead and the leadership issues of both: the two dissect multiple questions like: What have we learnt? what has changed? What do we need to do to prepare for the year ahead?.They investigate the generational change underway…

In this episode- that last of 2023, the three amigos review the big issues of the last month, the upcoming events of note in the transition, and they review the year that was.Lots of things are discussed, including the upcoming Global Climate Change meeting in Dubai, the possibility of a Carbon Border Adjustment Tax for Australia and other countrie…

Supply Chain Infrastructure in Australia is a big issue for ‘Supply Circles’ listeners so its good to speak with the renowned Michael Kilgariff on what is happening, and why.Michael is a senior executive in this sector with over two decades of high level experience. He’s been the National Director Energy Infrastructure Policy & Government Affairs f…

In this episode host James Scotland dives headfirst into the story of what Electric Vehicles will mean for your business. It’s a story of the sustainable supply chains of the future. A story of change, of current confusion, of coming regulations for business. It’s a story of digitalisation, of disruption, and of course, the decarbonisation of your …

Another busy month in the transition, and there’s a lot to discuss. This month the three amigos consider:- Will the transition deadline result in inflation in decarbonise resources?- The structure of future electricity grids and the role of microgrids in providing electricity. - The High Court’s decision to reject Victoria’s EV tax and what it mean…

Today’s guest is not a bot… he’s a real person with a lot of knowledge of bots. And Artificial Intelligence. And Automation. And so much more.Matt explains how he discovered AI and went on to make it, and automation, his chosen career path. He says Artificial Intelligence and its huge potential for improved efficiency is his favourite topic and thi…

Host James Scotland ask John Grimes for the keys to creating sustainable businesses in todays economy. John mounts a strong argument for moving your business to electric power via solar and batteries. He explains the numbers and the opportunities for business owners – this is an episode full of exciting insights and business ‘nuggets’James and John…

In this month’s ‘What on Earth...’ James, Tennant and Paul again examine the ‘issues of the day for the last month’ as we in Australia and globally transition to the post-carbon emissions business environment.The podcast asks ‘What on Earth’…. is going at a policy, economy, global and at the enterprise level as we race to Net Zero carbon requiremen…

In this episode we address the important emerging supply chain and business sustainability issue: The management concept of Product Stewardship….. The centrepiece of all supply chains is a good product but what actually is a ‘good’ product in the modern world. It’s a complex question with many of aspects to it, including ESG requirements, maximum v…

I Chose to look the other way - by Don Merrell by Ai GroupDi Ai Group

This is the story of the mouse that roared. Of the small manufacturing business in a suburb in Adelaide that went from one product, one major customer to a well-respected, innovative, complex supply chain with a global brand in just 25 years. Still headquartered at the same location in South Australian the business now has operations, sales people …

With Tennant in China for High Level Dialogue meetings, Paul and James address a range of current issues. As James says; “it’s the podcast that discusses the transitioning economy issues of the day, each month. “This episodes contains interesting and insightful analysis and comment on a number of issues including:• The challenges and opportunities …

Innes Willox On ABC NewsRadio 733am 4.9.23 by Ai GroupDi Ai Group

Louise McGrath has been working in international trade for decades and now represents Ai Group and Australian industry at global industry meetings around the world. In this engaging conversation James and Louise share humorous stories and insights into the keys to effective cross-cultural communication in business, supply chains and international m…

In this 2nd episode focusing on the SME section of supply chains, James chats with Mal Hiley, the Managing Director of Baker & Provan, a successful Western Sydney engineering and services company with an international supply line. Baker & Provan, a family owned business have specialised in the manufacture and supply of quality engineering products …

This month, James, Tennant and Paul have another wide-ranging conversation full of fascinating insights and observations. The podcast’s goal of unpacking this current major issues and the progress of the transitioning economy was certainly achieved this month…Issues covered are many including:• The emergence of clearer thinking in the green hydroge…

Our guest is Lucy Finlay. James and Lucy have a wonderful chat about the tension and healthy conflict of ….innovative new products hitting the market quickly and…. the need to ensure standards are in place for these new products.Lucy is the Standards and Regulations Manager for Schneider Electric and the perfect person to ask. Think of this: We buy…

Host James Scotland chats with the Chief Executive of Australian Industry Group, Innes Willox and learns of the organisation’s 150 years of continuous operation as the peak industry organisation supporting Australian business and industry. The conversation covers the history, the role and the importance of industry organisations,and considers the e…

With Paul on holidays in Scotland, James and Tennant discuss the multiple emerging opportunities in the infrastructure build of the transition, both nationally and internationally. Tennant starts by laying out the challenge of establishing goals and targets for the new economy before moving on to the opportunities from the U.S. Inflation Reduction …

In this episode, host James Scotland ask Adam Blake: ‘How do we, in Australia, build resilient and sustainable supply chains in and from Australia’.Blundstone is a 150-year, family-owned, Hobart-based, globally-successful boot and apparel manufacturer. The company sells over 3 million pairs of boots annually to multiple markets in over 70 countries…

James chats with two leading Australian supply chain academics and explores climate change, value chains, value-creation risk assessments, resilient business models and several other current and emerging issues.Lots of good discussion points including recognising investment as the answer to value risk, the urgency of recognising and identifying mul…

With our podcast host James Scotland on holidays overseas our podcast today is the re-release of the audition podcast James recorded with a former Ai Group employee. Whilst there are technical difficulties, its an engaging interview. Here’s the synopsis:What exactly is the circular economy, and where is it at in Australia today? Is circular economy…

In this episode, the three amigos address the question: What on Earth do businesses in Australia need to understand about the transition to the post carbon economy?After some detailed assessments of the current structures, three conclusions are reached:1. Energy and carbon are deeply entrenched in our day-to-day lives and in our businesses, there i…

According to global research over 53 per cent of managers were left ‘burnt out’ in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many leaders and managers have realised it’s important to take occasional extended career breaks: to refresh, re-centre, renew. In this episode, podcast host James Scotland delves into the concept of a mid-career sabbatical. He chat…

Welcome to a very special episode. Our guest is Ann Ackerson, the global head of procurement for BAE Systems.For those who don’t know, BAE Systems is a high-tech global defence Prime Contractor. It provides some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. With a workforce of over 93,000 people in 40 count…

In this episode, the three amigos catch up on the events of the past months and the emerging issues in the transitioning economy.In a typically wide ranging conversation, several issues are addressed including:• Recent federal government policies and announcements and what it means for business.• Some thoughts on nuclear energy in Australia. ( it’s…

Sam Matandos is the thoughtful and forthright CEO of Sydney-based precision engineering company Moxon Industries. Under Sam’s guidance during challenging time, Moxon Industries has continued to expand in the rail, civil and defence supply chains. Sam and Moxon are experienced and successful suppliers to demanding structured supply chains. Sam says …

In this episode we talk Operational Excellence. Our host , James Scotland says: “What if I told you there are ways to improve your operational performance, reduce your costs, improve your quality and increase your bottom line while also improving your major buyer relationships? Impossible? Today’s guest - Tim McLean, the founder of TXM Lean Solutio…

It’s been a busy month of big announcement for Australia’s transitioning economy. In this episode, the three amigos unpack the announcements, and question what it means for Australian businesses.• What international opportunities in the transitioning economy are emerging for Australian businesses, especially in the infrastructure build? What can we…