
Notes From The Executive with Mina Amso
Notes from The Executive tells the incredible stories behind the business success of the movers and shakers of local world - New Zealand. The business thinkers, CEOs, founders, creatives, disruptors and doers who are reshaping industries and rewriting the rules. Unscripted. Unedited.
You will learn the lessons, failures, mindset, philosophies and practical actionable know-how on how they did it to get ahead. So you can think bigger and differently and achieve more success in business and life.
Hosted by Founder & Journalist Mina Amso.
Latest episodes

Sep 22, 2024 • 1h 15min
FORGET Everything You KNOW About Leadership | Ashish Saxena
Ashish Saxena is a former executive at Lucent-Alcatel, Nokia and General Electric, he advocates for a shift from traditional authority to empathetic, servant-based leadership. His insights on listening and collaboration are timely, especially in today’s evolving business landscape.
Follow Ashish
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishrameshsaxena/
Watch on:
YouTube – https://youtu.be/V7TzAcT477Q
Follow me:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/notesfromtheexecutivepodcast/

Sep 15, 2024 • 53min
Business Advisor REVEALS 5 Proven Strategies to RECESSION-PROOF Your Cash Flow
Peter Dean has extensive business experience, starting in a family-owned company and advancing to senior management in a global firm. He now helps New Zealand business owners navigate their toughest challenges.
With 22 years in senior management roles across New Zealand and Australia, Peter has worked in corporate and family-owned businesses in the service, production, and retail sectors. His expertise lies in business management, with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by owner-operators.
He is currently part of Prime Strategies, where he uses his knowledge to support business owners in achieving success.
Follow Peter
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-dean-nz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/primestrategiesgroupnz
Watch the episode on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutive/videos
Follow me:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/notesfromtheexecutivepodcast/

Sep 8, 2024 • 52min
The Producer of Oprah's Favourite Thing: 'WHAT I Learned Leaving School at 15'? | Murray Thom
How can you fail school and still go on to
be one of the greatest music producers of all time in New Zealand?
Murray Thom’s story is a perfect example
of this. His 10-CD collection made it onto The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2002, a moment that wasn’t the result of chasing the next big idea but rather recognising a quiet opportunity and turning it into something extraordinary.
We often get caught up in the race to find the next big thing, but Murray’s journey shows that it’s not always about
chasing the loudest trends. Sometimes, the most rewarding opportunities are the ones that start as a small idea, nurtured with passion and persistence.
If you've ever thought “I need a pick me up episode to watch or why can't I land that big break”, this episode is for
you.
In this conversation, Murray and Mina discuss topics such as saying yes when you don't know the full picture, how
Murray's work ended up on Oprah, how he became a successful music producer and what it was like to meet Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel.
Follow Murray:
Website: https://www.thomproductions.com/
Watch the episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/A-r2yucP6Mk
Follow me:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/notesfromtheexecutivepodcast/

Sep 1, 2024 • 56min
Franchise Expert: How To Build a One-Day-A-Week Franchise! Rudy Kokx
Rudy Kokx is the CEO and Master Franchisor of New Zealand's Iconic Publication: Coffee News. The publication has been going for over 20 years in New Zealand.
This conversation covers how to start a one-day franchise business and make money.
Follow Rudy:
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/nzcoffeenews
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/coffeenewsnz/
Follow me:
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/notesfromtheexecutivepodcast/

Oct 2, 2023 • 47min
Your CHEAT SHEET Overcoming Analysis Paralysis and TAKING ACTION in your life - Maximum Institute's and Dad of Two Jason Heale | S7: Ep.6
This Episode is Sponsored by DappaDappa.com, affordable premium apparel for dads and Montessori Toys for kids, you can trust.
Follow Us & the Conversation On Instagram!
Liked this episode? Leave us a review here!
Have you ever been paralyzed by analysis when faced with a choice? Jason, a normal human being with so much life experience (yes you should probably listen to him) shares his practical cheat sheet for overcoming analysis paralysis and taking action.
Learn about the decisions that have shaped Jason's path, including the obscure situations where we must choose even when all the points aren't clear. Discover why Jason believes that "deciding not to decide" can be the biggest stumbling block.
As a father, husband, and Christian, Jason's insights into making decisions in various spheres of life are enlightening. We also explore the significance of failure in the decision-making process and why we're often averse to it. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that will empower you to approach decisions with clarity, courage, and purpose.
Remember, indecision is a choice in itself. Join us on this journey of understanding decision-making, embracing change, and making the most out of life's choices. Don't miss out on this engaging episode packed with wisdom and actionable insights.
Jason has over two decades of experience in the community and not-for-profit sector. In 2021, he joined Maxim Institute.
Decision-Making, Career Transitions, Analysis Paralysis, Embracing Change, Making Choices, Common Sense, Visionary Decision-Making, Overcoming Indecision, Growth Mindset, Failure and Success, Personal Growth, Maxim Communications Manager, Jason Heale Interview.

Sep 3, 2023 • 31min
Father's Day Special: Navigating Fatherhood, Decision-Making, and Life's Balancing Act with Tim Wilson | S7: Ep. 5
This Episode is Sponsored by DappaDappa.com, affordable premium apparel for dads you can trust.
Follow Us & the Conversation On Instagram!
Liked this episode? Leave us a review here!
Tune in to a heartwarming and enlightening episode of the Mina Amso Show as we celebrate the joys of fatherhood and delve into the art of decision-making with our special guest, Tim Wilson. In this captivating Father’s Day (Australia and New Zealand) special, host Mina Amso sits down with Tim, a familiar face from TVNZ Seven Sharp, now CEO of an esteemed research and public policy think tank, Maxim Institute,
Tim candidly discusses decision-making, shedding light on how he navigated his own career path from taxi driver to a prominent figure in media and public policy. Learn about the dynamics of making decisions, whether they are major life choices or everyday dilemmas. Tim offers valuable insights into conquering analysis paralysis and outlines his personal cheat sheet for effective decision-making.
Explore thought-provoking facts about fatherhood in today’s society, from startling statistics about fatherless households to the transformative effects of fathers sharing household chores. Tim reflects on the reasons behind being a dedicated dad and delves into the fears and challenges that fathers often face.
Wilson, a father of four boys, shares his experiences as a father and how he balances the demands of his roles—husband, father, CEO, and more.

Jul 21, 2023 • 31min
Purposeful Pursuit with Amy Chan: How to Overcome Career Dis-satisfaction | S7: Ep. 4
Welcome back to another inspiring episode of The Mina Amso Show.
Today, we're diving deep into the journey of Amy Chan, a remarkable pharmacist who discovered true satisfaction and purpose in her career after Pharmacy School and PhD. You won't want to miss this amazing story!
Remember, if you love what you hear, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share this episode with your friends. Let's spread the inspiration together!
How to Leave a Review
Click the link above or go to Apple Podcasts and select The Mina Amso Show, scroll down to the Ratings & Reviews section near the bottom of the page, then do any of the following: Rate a show: Click a star to select a rating. You can also hold the pointer over the stars, then click or drag to add or remove stars.
In our last three episodes, we've been following Amy's path, and now we continue the conversation, exploring how she found direction, made important decisions, and grabbed life-changing opportunities along the way. Prepare to be inspired!
Our next episode is all about self-discovery and career introspection. We'll be questioning our own journeys and asking ourselves if we're truly heading in the direction we desire. Plus, we'll discuss the ever-elusive "midlife crisis" and its relevance in today's world. We might even touch on some fun topics like football and the impact of social media on our children.
In this episode: I sat down with Amy to answer some important questions that you, our incredible listeners, have shared with us. How do you know if you're on the right career path? What strategic steps can you take to make the most of your professional journey? And how did Amy make those crucial decisions that led her to success? We'll also talk about finding job satisfaction and why we're in the careers we're in today.
And don't worry, I've got you covered on tips for managing your job effectively while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.So, join us for this thought-provoking, purpose-driven episode as we empower ourselves with Amy's incredible insights and experiences. This is the show, I am Mina Amso, here to guide you on your journey to a fulfilling and purposeful career.

Jun 2, 2023 • 37min
Full-time, First-time | With Amy Chan | S7: E3
We lay out the priorities for what make a job hit that satisfaction level and why work life balance is a thing of the past. Let's face it, some of us who leave university and start full-time work and earn money may feel like a million dollars at the start. It's Liberating. Empowering. Satisfying. But how long does that last? Expectations don't always reflect reality.
We have some real aha-moments in this episode. We share our stories of first time full-timers in pharmacy, what we learned, what we were thinking at the time, and how we made our next moves. We share what we experienced working in the community, in hospital, and beyond, and how we found our jobs and other people painful and helpful. And what would we do differently if we go back in time.
We're now on Instagram!
Liked this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

Apr 25, 2023 • 39min
Freedom? It's University time: Tips for surviving (and thriving) in your first year | With Amy Chan | S7: E2
Are you a high school student curious about what uni life is like? 🤔 Tune in to the latest episode of the Mina Amso Show where we discuss what first-year could look and feels like.
Catch up on our previous episode here!
We're now on Instagram!
Liked this episode? Leave us a review here!
Mina chats with her pharmacist friend and colleague, Amy Chan, about what university experience is like for pharmacy students (and any other student). From adjusting to life on campus and managing coursework to navigating a social life and exploring extracurricular activities, Mina and Amy share their insights and advice for making the most of your first year at university. They discuss the importance of maintaining hobbies and interests, joining clubs and organisations, and finding a sense of community in a new environment. Tune in for a valuable conversation that will inspire and inform students embarking on their university journey. Don't forget to leave a review and share with your friends to help spread the word about The Mina Amso Show!

Apr 9, 2023 • 33min
Unlocking Your Career Potential: Our journey and advice for school leavers making study decisions, with Amy Chan - Season 7 Premiere- Ep1
What factors shaped our decision to get into pharmacy from high school ? We discuss challenges with career choice we had to make at such a young age, while giving advice for school leavers and insights with Amy Chan, a friend of mine, a pharmacist and researcher, who talks about how she made her decision to study pharmacy and then PhD.
Welcome to the Season 7 premiere of our podcast, where we explore the fascinating world of career choices and decisions. In this episode, we delve into the factors that shape our decisions to pursue a career in pharmacy right after high school. You can of course apply this to your own situation. We discuss the challenges faced when we were school leavers, having to choose a career at such a young age, or so it seemed. We share valuable advice for those who are currently making such life-changing decisions.
To help us with this topic, we speak to Amy Chan, a pharmacist and researcher who shares her personal journey of how she made her decision to study pharmacy and later pursued PhD. Amy talks about the different factors that influenced her decision, such as her passion for science and helping others, as well as the role that her family and mentors played in shaping her career path.
Through our conversation, we highlight some important points that school leavers should consider when choosing their career paths, including the importance of exploring different options, seeking guidance and mentorship, and pursuing a career that aligns with their passions and values.
Join us for this insightful discussion on the challenges and rewards of pursuing a career, and gain some valuable advice for your own career journey. Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast for more exciting episodes!