The Company Road Podcast

Send us a text“I realised, I'm just an arrogant tw@t that believes I know how to do things, but actually other people know how to do things as well, maybe even much better than I do. And that many solutions are based on context, on history, on future, on vision, on motivation, on setups, on ability, on all kinds of things. So there's no one solution to a problem. There are many, many solutions to a problem.” Andreas MoellmannIn this episode, you’ll hear about:How different cultures approach change and innovationWhy companies get stuck repeating past successesThe horse race illusion of believing you have a winning methodThe innovator's dilemma between milking existing profitable models versus investing in new technologiesThe gap between developing solutions and getting organisations to accept and implement themHow company size, systems, and hierarchies impact flexibility and innovation capacityKey linksAndreas Moellmann on LinkedInBooks: Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyDentsuPublicisDDBSaatchi & SaatchiSapientDerren Brown on horse racingAbout our guest Andreas helps brands and businesses get future-ready. A seasoned brand and marketing strategist with over 30 years experience in transformative roles from strategic planner to Chief Experience Officer at network agencies (Publicis, BBDO, DDB, Saatchi & Saatchi) and digital agencies (SapientNitro, Isobar) in Berlin, London, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo. His experience stretches from automotive, FMCG, consumer electronics and telecommunications to banking and insurance where he worked on Berliner Bank and Gothaer Versicherungen. Andreas’ focus lies in connecting brand and marketing thinking with technology to help brands and businesses succeed. His work has been recognised at global, European, and local effectiveness awards, as well as creative competitions such as Cannes. He serves as a judge at the APAC Effectiveness award and local competitions in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Pakistan. Today, Andreas provides his experience as an independent brand and marketing consultant across APAC. He currently lives in Bangkok.About our hostOur host, Chris Hudson, is an Intrapreneuship Coach, Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation consultancy Company Road.Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy Xi in CX, Product Management, Design Thinking and Service Design and mentors many business leaders internaSupport the showFor weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

Send us a text“I believe that everyone is a CEO of culture. Every interaction is either a deposit or withdrawal from culture. You can have the most amazing culture within the team, and you can put someone in there that doesn't do the right thing and doesn't treat people in the right way. And if they're in a leadership position, the shadow they leave is even bigger.” — Beth HallIn this episode, you’ll hear about:Why culture isn’t something you can “initiative” your way out ofThe impact of incivility versus workload on burnoutWhat emotional intelligence has to do with team performanceCultural “fit” versus cultural “add”How generational expectations are reshaping what is tolerated at workThe power of onboarding and moments that matterStartup culture: speed, messiness and who thrives in itThe role of trust in hybrid workWhy feedback cultures matter and how to make hard conversations easierWhat leaders should actually look for in their people dataKey linksBeth’s consultancy: www.culturedge.comBeth Hall on LinkedInDaniel Goleman’s book on Emotional IntelligenceMichael Leiter’s research on burnout and incivilityJim Collins’ concept of “freedom within a framework”Saville Wave psychometric testNetflix’s public culture deckAbout our guest Beth Hall is a highly regarded leader in People and Culture, with over 15 years of experience in shaping high-performing cultures across diverse industries. Holding a Master’s in Organisational Psychology from the University of London, Beth combines scientific evidence with lived experience, making her a trusted advisor to complex, dynamic organisations. Her career includes roles such as Global Head of Organisational Development at Cotton On Group, where she led transformational initiatives across a global workforce, and General Manager of Standards and Capability at AHRI, where she set the national benchmark for HR standards and Certification in Australia. Beth’s deep understanding of the people experience at work enables her to design and implement strategies that enable high performing individuals, teams, and cultures. Beth’s approach is grounded in the belief that sustainable, inclusive cultures are the foundation of business success.About our hostOur host, Chris Hudson, is an Intrapreneuship Coach, Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy XSupport the showFor weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

Send us a text"People are using AI Tools whether they're being allowed to or not. More and more of large organisations’ ways of working are starting to operate out of these things organically."Ben Le RalphListen to the full episode for an in-depth look at how AI is changing the way teams work and why strategy may soon become the next big challenge in the age of AI.In this episode, you’ll hear about:What Ben means by the “strategy execution gap”Why AI adoption is messy, fragmented, and very realThe comparison between AI and Excel in organisational usageHow teams are using AI tools unofficially to move fasterThe personal vs organisational use of AI - what’s working and what’s notThe shift from AI hype to quiet productivityWhy grey user insight can still be usefulThe risks (and benefits) of AI hallucinationsWhy AI won’t replace jobs - but will shift how we workHow delivery bottlenecks are giving way to deeper strategy workThe future of AI as a practical, democratic tool for decision-makingThe emerging value of strategy work in the wake of AI adoptionHow AI is revealing deeper patterns that drive decision-making, even if not perfectly accurateKey linksAI for Busy PeopleMeet & Gather B Corp CertificationBen Le Ralph’s TikTokBen Le Ralph’s LinkedIn About our guest Ben Le Ralph is the founder of AI For Busy People and runs a small co-working space in Richmond called Meet and Gather.Over the past 15 years, he has helped small teams, often within larger organisations, to achieve big things.He specialises in supporting business owners and team leaders to align their teams on the right strategy and implement practical systems that supercharge delivery. Ben is passionate about helping teams work smarter and build things that actually move the needle and make an impact.Before launching AI For Busy People, Ben co-founded and scaled a B-Corp certified consultancy, growing it to a team of 15+ and $6 million in revenue. His company partnered with some of Australia's most recognisable organisations and government departments to help them rethink how they tackle complex social challenges.About our hostOur host, Chris Hudson, is an Intrapreneuship Coach, Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy Xi in CX, Product Management, Design Thinking and Service Design and mentors many business leaders internationally.Support the showFor weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

Send us a text“It’s not that you are not creative, you just haven’t worked a little more on developing your capacity. We can all be creative.”  Dr. Maria CamachoDr. Maria Camacho is a global leader in design thinking and innovation. With over 30 years of experience across academia, consulting, and industry, she has helped shape the way organisations think about creativity and collaboration.In this episode, Maria talks about how design thinking can help people and companies navigate uncertainty.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why Design Thinking matters now more than everHow creative resilience is built through practiceThe emotional highs and lows of the innovation processWhy organisations still struggle to value designTips to support introverts and quieter voices in ideationHow to run a “dark horse” prototype that uncovers unexpected solutionsThe role of play and experimentation at workHelping teams fall in love with the process, not just the ideaWhen to introduce creativity in education and leadershipWhat it means to make creativity part of everyone’s roleKey linksDr. Maria Camacho LinkedInRecommended Book: The Design Thinking Toolbox: A Guide to Mastering the Most Popular and Valuable Innovation Methods (Design Thinking Series)Stanford UniversityFrogSwinburne University of TechnologyAbout our guest Dr. Maria Camacho is a globally recognised expert in design thinking and strategic innovation with over 30 years of experience across academia, industry, and consulting. With a PhD in Design Thinking and a decade-long partnership with Stanford University's flagship programs, Maria has helped shape innovation practices at global companies and institutions, including Frog, the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, Westpac, Swinburne University, and global European group Sonae.Maria’s career spans founding and directing award-winning academic programs, mentoring teams to embrace human-centred approaches, and delivering impactful workshops and keynote speeches around the world. Known for her evidence-based methods, she empowers leaders and teams to tackle complexity with creativity, empathy, and humanity.Today, Maria runs her independent practice as a speaker, corporate trainer, and advisor, inspiring organisations to foster cultures of innovation and collaborative problem-solving.About our hostOur host, Chris Hudson, is an Intrapreneuship Coach, Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with UniSupport the showFor weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

Send us a text"You cannot control how anyone's going to respond to what comes out of your mouth. I think you just have to do it with an open heart and with positive intent and then just let it land. " – Fiona WalshFiona Walsh specialises in guiding people through this kind of deep self-inquiry. She is a mindset coach, change adviser, and host of the Limitless: Unlocking Your True Potential Podcast. With over 20 years of experience, Fiona has helped business leaders and entrepreneurs shift their perspectives and align their careers with their true selves.In this episode, you’ll hear about:How self-awareness impacts leadership and career growthThe role of inner critics and how to manage themStrategies to overcome fear of failure and judgementThe importance of mindfulness and breathwork in stress managementHow to navigate difficult workplace conversations with confidenceUnderstanding workplace dynamics and setting boundariesThe power of gratitude and reflection in personal developmentManaging uncertainty in career transitionsThe neuroscience behind stress responses and decision-makingHow leaders can support teams through organisational changeKey linksFiona Walsh’s Limitless PodcastWork with FionaFiona Walsh’s InstagramFiona Walsh’s LinkedInEmail: fiona@fionawalshconsulting.comAbout our guest Fiona Walsh is a mindset coach, change adviser and Podcast Host, who helps entrepreneurs and senior leaders unlock their true potential to create a life of alignment, fulfilment, and expansion. She believes in the power of deep self-discovery to tackle self-doubt and uncover blind spots: when your inner world expands, your external world transforms exponentially.With over 20 years of experience leading and advising on transformational change programs, including digital and culture transformations, customer experience strategy, and coaching high performers worldwide. Fiona brings a unique blend of strategic insight, personal growth expertise, intuition, and a lifelong curiosity about how humans, teams, and organisations evolve and thrive.About our hostOur host, Chris Hudson, is an Intrapreneuship Coach, Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy Xi in CX, Product Management, Design Thinking and Service Design and mentors many business leaders internationally.Support the showFor weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

Send us a text"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is in that little extra. It's about focusing in on the right things and fixing them...it's more about solutioning in that space."– Dr. Munib KaravdicDr. Munib Karavdic, an award-winning innovation executive, intrapreneur, and CEO of Wave Design. In this episode, Munib shares his journey from pursuing a PhD in E-Commerce in Australia to leading corporate innovation and eventually founding Wave Design. He discusses key turning points in his career, including the moment he shifted focus from technical E-Commerce to innovation and customer experience. He explains how he navigated corporate resistance to change, drove design-led strategies, and influenced leadership to embrace innovation.If you're an intrapreneur looking to make an impact, this episode is packed with insights on how to push boundaries, challenge the status quo, and create meaningful change.In this episode, you’ll hear about:The journey from academia to corporate leadership and entrepreneurshipThe challenges of introducing innovation in large organisationsHow small, incremental changes can have a big impactWhy human-centred design is crucial for business growthStrategies for influencing leadership and navigating corporate structuresThe importance of intrapreneurship and how to drive change from withinHow large organisations can work with start-ups effectivelyThe future of corporate innovation and leadership in AustraliaKey linksDr. Munib Karavdic LinkedInWave Design WebsiteMacquarie Bank Website St. George Bank WebsiteAMP Website About our guest Dr Munib Karavdic is an intrapreneur and award-winning innovation executive. He is an expert in design and innovation, helping leaders and organisations drive growth and confidently navigate change.As a senior executive and Conjoint Professor at UNSW, Munib has led award-winning teams, developed customer-centric strategies, and mentored the next generation of innovators. He combines commercial acumen with human-centred design to create transformative strategies, products, and services across industries.With a PhD in e-commerce and a career spanning corporate leadership and academia, Munib is passionate about turning ideas into impactful solutions.About our hostOur host, Chris Hudson, is an Intrapreneuship Coach, Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy Xi in CX, Product Management, Design Thinking and Service Design and mentors many business leaders internSupport the showFor weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

Send us a text"I would go so far as to say it went past an adaption and into a reinvention almost. New York is that city that it's a little bit of a trope, but everyone goes there to reinvent themselves in a way... That’s petrifying, but also incredibly freeing, because you can start to rebuild the person that you really want to be at that stage in your life."  – Alanna LynchIn this episode, you’ll hear about:Alanna’s journey from Sydney to New York and back to AustraliaThe challenges of adapting to a new culture and leadership styleWorkplace relationships and how to set boundaries as a leaderThe balance between confidence and humility in leadershipWhy trust is the foundation of effective leadershipThe risks and rewards of reinvention in your careerThe importance of curiosity and stepping outside your comfort zoneHow to test ideas and make career decisions with a "fail fast, fail often" mindsetLeadership lessons from creative agencies, media, and the art worldPractical strategies for managing workplace dynamics and career growthKey linksAlanna Lynch LinkedIn Melior Futuri Website Melior Futuri by Alanna Lynch Instagram Melior Musings Substack Alanna's article on Strategic Friendships at WorkArtnet Website The New York Times Website About our guest Alanna Lynch is an executive coach and business advisor with over 15 years of experience in unlocking human potential to influence change and drive sustainable growth in creatively driven businesses.Alanna began her career in advertising in Sydney before moving to New York City, where she held senior leadership roles at some of the world’s most influential creative agencies, media companies, and art platforms.Before founding MELIOR FUTURI, Alanna was the COO of Artnet, a publicly traded fine art marketplace and newsroom, where she led the strategic transformation of the global operation and drove record growth in its media business. She has also served as CEO of The New York Times Experience Agency and interim CEO of their Social Storytelling Agency, overseeing a successful merger of the two. Previously, she was Managing Director of Chandelier, a renowned New York creative agency known for its work with luxury fashion and lifestyle brands.About our hostOur host, Chris Hudson, is an Intrapreneurship Coach and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (FjorSupport the showFor weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

Send us a textShow Notes"I think one of the main skills that an intrapreneur needs is diplomacy. You need to be able to manage upwards, downwards, sideways. You need to get people's buy-in, engage them in your ideas rather than ramming them down their throats." - Kate ToonKate Toon, an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and digital marketing expert, joins us for an insightful discussion. From her humble backyard shed, Kate has built a thriving business universe, empowering thousands through her educational platforms and marketing expertise.In this episode, Kate shares the valuable lessons learned during her transition from intrapreneur to entrepreneur. She discusses the importance of adaptability, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of a vision.In this episode, you’ll hear about:The key differences between entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs.How adaptability and creativity drive success in both roles.The importance of persistence over passion in achieving goals.Why diplomacy and confidence are essential in corporate environments.Lessons from Kate’s journey balancing business and parenting.Strategies for managing multiple roles and staying focused.Creating environments that foster creativity and autonomy.Recognising and harnessing the skills of intrapreneurs.Key linksKate Toon’s WebsiteKate Toon’s LinkedInBooks by Kate Toon: Six Figures in School Hours, Six Figures While You Sleep, The Confessions of a Misfit EntrepreneurThe Clever Copywriting School’s WebsiteThe Digital Marketing Collective’s WebsiteAbout our guest From her humble backyard shed, Kate Toon has masterminded an ambitious business universe, empowering thousands through her digital marketing and business expertise.She's the author of "Six Figures in School Hours," a testament to balancing a thriving business while being a dedicated parent. And she has recently released her latest book “Six Figures While you Sleep” - which I can highly recommend to anyone that has their own business and is looking to grow it.Her accolades include being voted Australia’s Most Influential Small Businesswoman 2022 and winning Businesswoman of the Year 2020.About our hostOur host, Chris Hudson, is a Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy Xi in CSupport the showFor weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

Send us a text“The Elements Kit is about 'Who am I?' and 'What next?'. What choices can I make for a really fulfilled and aligned life? Bringing all those components into balance.” - Lisa JohnsonLisa Johnson, an experienced designer with expertise spanning interior design to service design, joins us to share her journey and her innovative creation, The Elements Kit. With a foundation in systems thinking and human-centred design, Lisa has built a toolkit that aligns personal talents, values, and ambitions, offering a unique path to creative self-actualisation.Lisa discusses the origins of The Elements Kit, which started as a thesis project and evolved into a powerful tool for individuals and teams. She explains the concept of archetypes and how they reflect human behaviour in distinct ways. She explores topics such as psychological safety, the gap in traditional psychometric tests, and how teams can use The Elements Kit to uncover untapped potential.Hear about Lisa’s offer to work with teams and organisations, providing a holistic approach to enhancing alignment, productivity, and individual fulfilment using The Elements Kit.In this episode, you’ll hear about:The origins of the Elements Kit as a thesis project.Why traditional psychometric tools miss the mark on human complexity.The six key elements: expression, connection, leadership, knowledge, navigation, and belief.Archetypes and how they provide a holistic view of human behaviour.How psychological safety enables creativity and team collaboration.Balancing light and shadow sides of archetypes for personal growth.Insights into team dynamics and the importance of valuing individuality.The role of self-reflection in navigating life and career.Applications of the Elements Kit across different age groups, from children to seniors.How the kit enables organisations to align team values with company culture.Key linksThe Elements Kit WebsiteLisa Johnson on LinkedInAccenture SongAbout our guest As an experienced design consultant and mentor, Lisa has a deep understanding of the delivery of creative projects from research and discovery through to design, production and implementation, and decades of experience mentoring others in human-centred design.With broad agency and client-side experience across UX, CX, EX and Service Design, Lisa is skilled at collaborating, co-ordinating and leading diverse stakeholder and consultant teams. Lisa has a particular strength in strategic visual thinking and narrative.About our hostOur host, Chris Hudson, is a Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy Xi in CX, Product Management, Design Thinking and ServiSupport the showFor weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

Send us a text"We know that authentic content is what comes through. We know storytelling is so important. So I actually help businesses bring it back in-house if they felt like they were very over-reliant on external factors. No one knows us, our customer, and our business better than we do." – Kim JamesIn this episode, you’ll hear about:How platforms like Facebook and TikTok have changed over the years and the strategies that work today.Why authenticity and understanding customer behaviour are central to impactful marketing.The shift towards businesses managing their own social media and the benefits of in-house teams.Kim’s personal journey, including the risks she took and the lessons she learned about growth and purpose.The importance of building a personal brand for future-proofing your career and opening new opportunities.How to use AI tools to create content more efficiently without losing authenticity.Key linksKim James on LinkedInCareer Girl Diaries on TikTokCareer Girl Diaries on InstagramHootsuiteAbout our guest Kim's candid stories and down-to-earth advice will make you laugh, think, and maybe even dream bigger.With a decade of experience in content and digital marketing, Kim helps organisations launch and scale their marketing strategies, campaigns, and products.Her approach integrates insights and a passion for consumer behaviour with human psychology to create industry-leading content strategies and funnels that can be applied to all industries.About our hostOur host, Chris Hudson, is a Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy Xi in CX, Product Management, Design Thinking and Service Design and mentors many business leaders internationally.Support the showFor weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/