The Business Of
AGSM | UNSW Business School
As the pace of organisational change speeds up, a new generation of leaders is emerging who see the world differently. They are finding ways to grapple with complexity and make an impact in an accelerating world. What can we learn from them? In The Business Of, a podcast from UNSW Business School, a diverse group of business leaders from the corporate, start-up, government, and for-purpose sectors share their lived experiences in building businesses that can ‘do well’ and ‘do good’.
Host Dr Juliet Bourke, a UNSW Professor of Practice in the School of Management and Governance, speaks with leaders from a range of industries unpacking the complexities of business of art, sports, AI, climate change and more.
Wherever business practices are shifting UNSW researchers and academics are there, and in The Business Of you also learn about the global forces, competing interests and new trends influencing everyday decisions.
Professor Barney Tan, the Senior Deputy Dean for Impact and Partnerships at the UNSW Business School, will help you make sense of all the moving parts through the latest research at the world’s top universities. He breaks down how that research equips leaders to make better decisions, build better teams and make a real impact.
If you’re curious about the way business works, The Business Of can introduce you to contemporary industry practices and take you inside the minds of leaders as they figure out what’s next.
Find out more -
https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast
https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/
Host Dr Juliet Bourke, a UNSW Professor of Practice in the School of Management and Governance, speaks with leaders from a range of industries unpacking the complexities of business of art, sports, AI, climate change and more.
Wherever business practices are shifting UNSW researchers and academics are there, and in The Business Of you also learn about the global forces, competing interests and new trends influencing everyday decisions.
Professor Barney Tan, the Senior Deputy Dean for Impact and Partnerships at the UNSW Business School, will help you make sense of all the moving parts through the latest research at the world’s top universities. He breaks down how that research equips leaders to make better decisions, build better teams and make a real impact.
If you’re curious about the way business works, The Business Of can introduce you to contemporary industry practices and take you inside the minds of leaders as they figure out what’s next.
Find out more -
https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast
https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 24, 2025 • 23min
Reaping the rewards – The promises and pitfalls of loyalty programs
That satisfying ding when you scan your rewards card. The little thrill of watching points accumulate. The smug satisfaction of using miles for a "free" flight. Sound familiar? We're all players in the massive loyalty program game—whether we're collecting coffee stamps, airline miles, or cashback percentages. But here's the million-point question: Who's really winning? Is that loyalty card in your wallet a golden ticket to genuine value, or are you just a willing participant in the most sophisticated customer retention scheme ever devised? Steve Hui, founder of iFLYflat, explains the psychology behind those irresistible point systems, the real mathematics of "free" rewards, and the critical difference between programs that genuinely reward customers versus those that incentivise loyalty more than deliver true benefit. +++ The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with Deadset Studios. This episode is hosted by Dr Juliet Bourke, with insights from Professor Barney Tan. The transcript and show notes can be found on our website here. Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at BusinessThink and follow UNSW Business School and AGSM on LinkedIn. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 10, 2025 • 33min
Disconnected – The hidden cost of workplace loneliness
Loneliness is quietly affecting workplace productivity more than many organisations realise. Despite being more digitally connected than ever before, many employees today report feeling isolated, unsupported, and burned out. This isn't just impacting individuals – it's costing businesses financially, and damaging workplace culture and team cohesion. From performative perks to genuine peer connection, clinical psychologist Dr Zac Seidler unpacks how tech and hybrid work blur boundaries, why men are especially lonely, and what’s missing in our approach to employee wellbeing. +++ Please note, this episode contains references to suicide and stillbirth. Please take care while listening. The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with Deadset Studios. This episode is hosted by Dr Juliet Bourke, with insights from Professor Barney Tan. The transcript and show notes can be found on our website here. Listen to our episode on creating healthier workplaces with psychosocial safety expert Carlo Caponecchia here. Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at BusinessThink and follow UNSW Business School and AGSM on LinkedIn. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 27, 2025 • 30min
No plan, no problem – How Sibella Court designed her own career path
You don’t become a globally renowned designer by accident. But if you ask Sibella Court, one of Australia’s most sought-after stylists, she never had a master plan to make it big. From global brand campaigns to bestselling books and hit TV shows, Sibella built a design empire balancing great instincts, good relationships, and sound commercial judgement. Her approach to business is somewhat unconventional, but it is a masterclass in backing yourself, building a brand organically, and knowing when it’s time to move on. ++++ The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with Deadset Studios. This episode is hosted by Dr Juliet Bourke, with insights from Professor Barney Tan. The transcript and show notes can be found on our website here. Listen to our episode about blending creativity and commerciality with Alexandra Smart here. Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at BusinessThink and follow UNSW Business School and AGSM on LinkedIn. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 13, 2025 • 27min
The sharing economy – Can collaboration cure overconsumption?
Could collaborative consumption be the cure for our throwaway culture? Robert Chan, the managing director of car-sharing platform Turo, believes we're on the brink of an ownership revolution. “The average power drill is only on for 13 minutes of its life. You don't want (to buy) the power drill; you want (to fix) the hole in the wall. How do we get the benefit without having all the stuff is really what the sharing economy is trying to do.” From rideshares to designer handbags, power tools to luxury getaways, the sharing economy is rewriting the rules of how we consume. But as Robert explains, behind the success stories lie a complex web of challenges that can make or break these platforms. +++ The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with Deadset Studios. This episode is hosted by Dr Juliet Bourke, with insights from Professor Barney Tan. The transcript and show notes can be found on our website here. Listen to our episode with Roby Sharon-Zipser about how he started hipages, a digital marketplace that connects tradespeople to homeowners, here. Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at BusinessThink and follow UNSW Business School and AGSM on LinkedIn. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 30, 2025 • 28min
Home truths – How the housing crisis is hurting business
The social impacts of Australia’s housing crisis are well documented, and we’re starting to feel its effect on business. “We know in Sydney, for example, the housing crisis costs the economy $10 billion a year. So it is not just a social crisis, it's a productivity and economic crisis as well.” Professor Philip Oldfield, Head of School at UNSW Built Environment, explains how a lack of affordable housing near major employment hubs is impacting the people who work there, and how businesses can build better workplaces. +++ The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with Deadset Studios. This episode is hosted by Dr Juliet Bourke, with insights from Professor Barney Tan. The transcript and show notes can be found on our website here. Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at BusinessThink and follow UNSW Business School and AGSM on LinkedIn. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 4, 2025 • 30min
Smarter not harder – How AI is changing the way we work
Frederik Anseel, Dean of UNSW’s Business School, specializes in how organizations learn and adapt. He discusses how AI is transforming workplaces by automating routine tasks, but questions whether faster processes truly equate to better results. Anseel emphasizes that true productivity should focus on impact, not just hours clocked. He also addresses the challenges of measuring productivity today, advocates for a four-day workweek, and highlights the importance of creativity and collaboration in an AI-driven world.
May 21, 2025 • 27min
IT Upgrade – The future of recycling office e-waste
Every second, 12 tonnes of plastic are manufactured globally, and millions of tonnes end up as waste. For entrepreneur James Lancaster, this stark reality drove him to create Renew IT, a company dedicated to sustainability, in a bid to tackle the problem head on. What started as a recycling business that generated value from discarded electronics became a passion. After a decade of recycling old office printers and monitors, Renew IT partnered with UNSW to develop world-first technology that turns e-waste plastic into 3D printer filament. James believes the solution to our global waste issue lies in innovative technologies. +++ The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with Deadset Studios. This episode is hosted by Dr Juliet Bourke, with insights from Professor Barney Tan. The transcript and show notes can be found on our website here. For more information on Renew IT check out their website. Listen to our episode with Lottie Dalziel on how she created her sustainable startup, Banish, here. Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at BusinessThink and follow UNSW Business School and AGSM on LinkedIn. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 7, 2025 • 29min
From Test to T20 – How cricket bowled over a new generation of fans
The global cricket market is booming. It’s projected to be worth 6.1 billion dollars this year. And while traditional revenue streams such as broadcast rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales still drive the cricket business, it’s the shortened T20 format that’s drawing in new revenue and new fans. Former cricket star turned commentator Lisa Sthalekar explains the lucrative business behind one of Australia’s favourite sports and what it can teach you about your company. +++ The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with Deadset Studios. This episode is hosted by Dr Juliet Bourke, with insights from Professor Barney Tan. The transcript and show notes can be found on our website here. You can listen to our episode with Drew Arthurson from the Sydney Swans here. Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at BusinessThink and follow UNSW Business School and AGSM on LinkedIn. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 23, 2025 • 31min
From cash to clicks – How technology is changing financial transactions
"Do you have cash?" It's a question that's becoming increasingly rare in 2025. Nowadays, many of us prefer the convenience of digital wallets over physical cards, not to mention banknotes and coins. According to Richard Holden, an economist and UNSW Scientia Professor, we're moving towards a "functionally cashless" society, with the costs associated with carrying cash on the rise. But what does this shift mean for businesses? And how can we ensure a smooth transition that doesn't leave anyone behind? +++ The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with Deadset Studios. This episode is hosted by Dr Juliet Bourke. The transcript and show notes can be found on our website here. Interested in reading more insights from Scientia Professor Richard Holden? Check out his website. And if you’d like to hear our episode with Hayden Smith from Pearler, you can find that here. Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at BusinessThink and follow UNSW Business School and AGSM on LinkedIn. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 9, 2025 • 27min
The new marketing mix – Are podcasts the future of brand marketing?
Podcasting has completely reshaped the audio landscape, pulling audiences away from other media and into a space where brands, businesses, and creators can connect directly with engaged listeners. Today, companies are leveraging podcasts as a powerful marketing tool—leveraging the medium’s popularity as an accessible platform for authentic storytelling. James Cridland is the editor of Podnews, a world-leading podcast industry newsletter and he’s been tracking the rise of on-demand audio since the early 2000s. His advice for standing out in an increasingly crowded space? Focus on the fundamentals. +++ The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with Deadset Studios. This episode is hosted by Dr Juliet Bourke, with insights from Professor Barney Tan. The transcript and show notes can be found on our website here. Interested in reading more podcast insights from James? Subscribe to Podnews. Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at BusinessThink and follow UNSW Business School and AGSM on LinkedIn. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
