The Real Math of Business with Alena Bennett

What happens when a cancer researcher and Australia's leading voice in play-at-work come together to look at technology? And why do they end up on opposite ends of the scale in their Real Math of Business? Dara Simkin is Australia's leading voice in play at work and the founder of Culture Hero, a learning experience design consultancy specialising in evidence‑based play interventions that...

How do we create thriving teams using accountability? Are we measuring employee engagement totally wrong? And should shareholders care about the business' mission as much as the employees? In this insightful interview, speaker, author and leadership & team performance expert Claire Gray shares her perspectives on creating thriving cultures, the importance of clarity and intention, and how...

Welcome to the first ever CROSSOVER EPISODE for both podcasts, and we are so excited to have you join us for this one. Today, the team from the Magical Learning Podcast is chatting to the amazing Alena Bennett, host of The Real Math of Business with Alena Bennett. Alena is a speaker, author and leadership expert who works primarily with CEOs and CFOs, helping build businesses where people serve pe...

In this conversation, Alena Bennett speaks with Bill Withers, a seasoned SME owner and author of 'Succession Thinking'. They explore the unique challenges and opportunities faced by SMEs, particularly in relation to employee wellbeing, leadership, and the importance of a strong business manifesto. Bill emphasizes the need for vision custodians within SMEs to ensure long-term success and di...

In this engaging conversation, Alena Bennett speaks with Bernie Kelly about the evolving role of boards and leadership in today's complex environment. They explore the emotional impact of vision planning, the importance of self-awareness, and the balance between efficiency and effectiveness. Bernie shares insights on the significance of lead indicators, accountability in purpose-driven organis...

In this episode of "The Real Math of Business," host Alena Bennett welcomes leadership coach Jason McDougall to discuss the intersection of faith and business. Jason shares his journey from humble beginnings in Western Sydney to becoming a leadership mentor, emphasising the importance of understanding one's purpose and the role of faith in navigating challenges. He reflects on his ca...

Donna McGeorge, a sought-after international speaker and bestselling author, discusses time management and decision-making in the context of business. The conversation covers observations during the holiday season, the real math of business, the 25-minute meeting, and the first two hours of the workday. The key takeaways include insights into effective time management and the impact of decision-ma...

This year has been a great start to the podcast and we wanted to highlight that by sharing you, the listener's, most watched episodes from our first year. Every guest from the entire season has been absolutely amazing and we want to thank them for making this show so good. So whether you listened to the whole season, or are using this episode to see which episode to listen to next, we hope you...

This week's podcast is a little different as we get into the mind of our host: Alena Bennett. In this episode, Alena shares her story with producer Jez. Starting with her accounting background to becoming a consultant, emphasising the importance of human connection in business. She discusses the duality of her cultural heritage and how it shapes her perspective on success. Alena reflects on he...

In this engaging conversation, Alena Bennett interviews Katie Nelson, CEO of Sales Uprising, exploring the intricacies of sales, business growth, and the human elements that drive success. They discuss the importance of reflection in business, the dynamics between large and small organisations, and the critical role of cash flow. Katie emphasises that sales is not just about numbers but about auth...

In this episode of Real Math at Business, Alena Bennett engages in a deep conversation with Stacey Ellis Fisher, CEO of ClevrCopy, about the intersection of business, leadership, and personal growth. They explore the importance of reflection and intentional learning as they approach 2026, the challenges of navigating advanced business roles, and the significance of building a strong advisory board...

In this episode of the Real Math of Business podcast, host Alena Bennett speaks with Steve Vamos, a leadership authority and former CEO, about the critical importance of alignment in business. They discuss the challenges CEOs face in navigating misalignment, the role of people leadership, and the necessity of execution in achieving organisational goals. Steve shares insights from his extensive car...

In this conversation, Alena Bennett and David Fish explore the multifaceted nature of business success, emphasising the importance of connection, authenticity, and visibility in leadership. They discuss how leaders can navigate tough times, the balance between money and people, and the significance of storytelling and packaging in business. Fishy shares insights from his aeronautics and aviation e...

In this conversation, Alena Bennett interviews Karma Auden, the CFO of the University of New England, who shares her unique career journey from aspiring pharmacist to financial storyteller. Karma discusses the importance of understanding the human side of finance, the impact of purpose-driven work, and the nuances between impact and outcome in financial discussions. She emphasises the need for fin...

In this episode, Alena Bennett welcomes Danette Fenton-Menzies, a seasoned expert in leadership and family business dynamics. They explore the challenges of change fatigue, the importance of understanding individual perspectives in organisations, and the balance between short-term and long-term goals. Danette shares insights on the significance of diversity in decision-making, the role of authenti...

In this episode of the Real Math of Business, Alena Bennett speaks with Lindsay Hutchinson, CEO of Eve Health and CHARLI Health. They discuss Lindsay's career journey, the impact of COVID-19 on business, and the unexpected transition from CFO to CEO. The conversation delves into the human side of business, balancing patient care with financial health, and the role of community and empathy in l...

In this episode of the Real Math of Business podcast, host Alena Bennett speaks with Greg Hutchinson, CEO of Cape Dunstans, about the complexities of leadership, the importance of self-leadership, and the nuances of defining success in business. They explore the weight of responsibility that leaders carry, the dynamics of team interactions, and the significance of community engagement. Greg shares...

In this episode of the Real Math of Business podcast, Alena Bennett speaks with Yvonne Hilsz, a master sales coach, about the duality of the math and people sides of business. They discuss the importance of mindset in sales, the role of data in performance management, and the need for individualised coaching to elevate team performance. Yvonne shares insights on hiring a CFO, budgeting challenges...

In this episode of the Real Math of Business, Alena Bennett speaks with Daniel Munk, CEO of Wests Illawarra, about the intricate relationship between people and profit in business. They explore the importance of honesty in leadership, the impact of values on company culture, and the necessity of long-term thinking in business strategies. Daniel shares insights from his diverse career journey, emph...

In this episode of the Real Math of Business podcast, Alena Bennett interviews Harry Marfatia, who shares his interesting career through many industries and insights on the importance of a purpose-driven mindset in business. Harry discusses his career trajectory, emphasising the need for finance to be business-driven rather than just number-focused. He highlights the significance of culture in dri...

In this episode, Alena Bennett interviews Julia Van Graas, co-founder of Leaders on Demand, discussing her journey from becoming an accountant to leading in the field of leadership and culture. They explore the importance of understanding business dynamics, the evolving nature of leadership, and the critical role of emotional intelligence and purpose in achieving success. Julia shares insights on...

In this episode of the Real Math of Business podcast, Alena Bennett interviews David Gunn, a risk management expert, who shares his unique perspective on risk as a strategic enabler in business. David discusses his career journey, the importance of positivity in risk management, and how to create a culture of smart risk-taking within organisations. He emphasises the need for resilience in the curr...

As a bit of a teaser for our inaugural season, check out this clip where Alena shares her thought provoking question from episode one. What are your thoughts? Do you think a business can burn out? The Real Math of Business with Alena Bennett is a podcast where we look beyond the numbers in business; where people serve people, and the maths just works.