The Bottom Line

John Vilianiotis is a specialist consultant psychologist with over 20 years of experience helping boards, executives, and leadership teams understand human behaviour. John works both in private practice and as a business psychologist. In this episode, John reveals the red flags that experienced interviewers look for beyond what's on a resume, explains how AI-generated interview responses are already fooling some hiring managers but why they won't work on seasoned professionals, and shares why hiring for character over capability might be the most important decision you make for your business culture.   Resources and links: John Vilianiotis on LinkedIn   Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on X Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

James Pridgeon is the Founder and Director of Steel Window Design. Steel Window Design is one of Australia’s leading manufacturers of steel windows and doors for commercial and residential projects. In this episode, James shares his journey from civil engineer and draftsman to founding his own company. He discusses the challenges he faced building and growing the business, including finding skilled fabricators and balancing cost with maintaining high product standards during the growth phase. He also emphasises the importance of mentorship, networking, and careful delegation for building a successful business.   Resources and links: Steel Window Design website Profile on Steel Window Design on The Local Project   Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on X Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Kate Whitehead is the Managing Director of  Avant Group. Avant Group is one of Australia’s leading consultancy firms specialising in government grants, business advisory services, technical research, and marketing strategies. In this episode, Kate explains the complexities of government business grants and funding. She highlights the different types of grants, the challenges businesses can face when preparing grant applications, and how specialised advisors can smooth the process for business owners.   Resources and links: Avant Group website Kate Whitehead on LinkedIn   Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on X Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Anders Landberg is an R&D Tax Incentive Specialist at AHL Advisory. AHL Advisory provides expert advice on R&D strategy, eligibility assessments, audit defence, and claim financing for businesses that want to take advantage of the Australian Government’s research and development tax incentives. In this episode, Anders explores how R&D tax incentives allow businesses to innovate and save money. He breaks down the essential eligibility criteria, how to stay compliant throughout the process, and the pitfalls of relying on general advisors for specialist purposes.   Resources and links: AHL Advisory website Anders Landberg on LinkedIn   Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on Twitter Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Josh Murray is the Founder and COO of Josh’s Rainbow Eggs. Josh’s Rainbow Eggs is an environmentally sustainable free-range egg farm supplying grocery stores across Victoria. In this episode, Josh shares how a love of Lego led him to start an enormously successful egg-farming business when he was just 9 years old. He discusses how he scaled his business from selling to neighbours to pitching Australia’s major grocery stores, the importance of product placement in the store, and how you can tell if you’re serious about starting a business.   Resources and links: Josh’s Rainbow Eggs website Josh Murray on LinkedIn   Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on Twitter Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Rony John is an SMSF Manager at Alexander Spencer as part of AS Wealth Advisors. AS Wealth Advisors provides personalised strategic financial guidance and wealth management advice. In this episode, Rony explains what a self-managed super fund (SMSF) is and how he helps his clients understand their options. He shares real client stories of how they’ve used super to build wealth and what to consider before setting up an SMSF.   Resources and links: AS Wealth Advisors website Rony John on LinkedIn   Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on Twitter Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Trang Nova is a Business and Speaking Coach. Trang works with entrepreneurs and aspiring speakers to teach them how to speak with confident authority and be recognised as leaders both on stage and off. In this episode, Trang shares how a snail altered the course of her career and took her from being a physiotherapist to being a speaking coach. She emphasises the value of preparation and authenticity for a good speech and shares advice for working on the foundations of great speakers including articulation, pacing, and vocal melody.   Resources and links: Trang Nova’s website Trang Nova on LinkedIn Trang Nova on Instagram Trang Nova on YouTube Voice for Impact Podcast The Trang Nova Podcast   Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on Twitter Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Zaffar Khan is the Corporate Strategist for Cocoon SDA Care. Cocoon SDA Care delivers personalised care to help people with disabilities live with greater independence, safety, and an improved quality of life. In this episode, Zaffar lays bare his entire career journey from driving taxis and how that led to his neighbours calling the police to his first business, to bankruptcy, before rebuilding and branching into other businesses. He discusses how those experiences influenced his business philosophy, how he empowers his staff while maintaining accountability, and why vague goals like "becoming a millionaire" are wrong for budding entrepreneurs.   Resources and links: Cocoon SDA Care website Download “8 Pillars of Business Success” here Zaffar Khan on LinkedIn   Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on Twitter Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Aret Muradyan is a Lawyer and retired Sergeant with the Victoria Police. Aret retired from Victoria Police after thirty years of service, and his approach to management today is influenced by the lessons he learnt on the force. In this episode, Aret shares his journey with policing and its impact on his management style. He opens up about how police use “work mode” to manage high-stress situations, the importance of mental health support and peer-to-peer aid in addition to professional help, and emphasises that the best way to build strong teams and create the next generation of leaders is to start training them now. Please note: This episode contains descriptions of violence. Resources and links: Aret Muradyan on LinkedIn Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on Twitter Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

So you have savings, but they aren’t growing as fast as you’d like. That’s where investing comes in. In this episode, David and Sevan discuss different investment methods and the key differences between defensive and aggressive investment strategies. David also shares the “Rule of 72” with Sevan, explaining how to calculate how long it will take to double your investment through compound interest.   Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on Twitter Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.