The Big Con Podcast

Step into the tumultuous year of 2020 as we unravel the contrasting leadership styles of Jacinda Ardern and Boris Johnson during the global crisis. In this episode, we examine how Ardern's decisive actions in New Zealand led to one of the lowest COVID-19 death rates, while Johnson's controversial strategy in the UK faced setbacks. Join us for a gripping exploration of leadership essentials – clari...

In our latest episode, the Con is diving into the AI revolution of 2023 and how it's changing the game for knowledge workers. Remember the release of ChatGPT by OpenAI? It's like your super-smart computer friend, always ready for a chat or to help with tasks. But it's way more than just auto-suggesting words; it can write poems, stories, and much more. But here's the kicker - ChatGPT isn't just fo...

The Big Con is diving into complex issues! This episode looks at Branding, culture, and diversity, examining the stories of corporate giants Bud Light and Nike as they navigate sponsorship with trans activist and internet sensation Dylan Mulvaney. Bud Light, a beer powerhouse, faces a turbulent response after a collaboration with Dylan, leading to stock losses and widespread boycotts. Meanwhile, N...

Season 2 Wrap-Up🎙️ HELLO, Business Enthusiasts and Strategy Nerds! Dale and Emily are here with your regular roundup of business insights sprinkled with a hint of humour. This lesson's learned Episode Features: 🚀 There are only a few types of strategy, trust me ;) 📉 Lessons from the Season: Unpacking the missteps and takeaways. 🔥 PwC Update: Shifts, changes, and the path ahead. 🍽️ George's Next...

Get ready for an intriguing exploration of ambition, innovation, and controversy on the penultimate episode of season 2 of "The Big Con" podcast. Join Emily and Dale as they scrutinise the colossal failure of Essential Products, the brainchild of Android inventor, Andy Rubin. Journey behind the scenes of a company that had Silicon Valley's attention but ultimately crumbled under the weight of its...

In this episode, you will be able to: Uncover the reasons behind the unexpected crash of ABC Learning. Understand the delicate balance between aggressive expansion and sustainable business growth. Navigate the murky waters of ethical dilemmas within the childcare industry. Discover why personalization in childcare is more than just a buzzword—it's an essential guide to nurturing future generations...

In this episode, we delve into the captivating journey of George Calombaris, a Greek culinary icon and MasterChef Australia judge. From being an ambitious son of migrants to becoming an international celebrity chef and building a restaurant empire, George's story is not short of triumph and controversy. We discuss his impressive career milestones, his advocacy for hard work, and the shocking scand...

Join us as we dive into the PwC tax scandal, where insider knowledge meets gross breach of trust. We explore how PwC's involvement in shaping Australia's tax laws led to a circus of juggling interests, falling heads, and new lessons. Stay tuned for a real-life spectacle and a case of being cautionary when dealing with consultants! 📕 Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu The Big Con Podcast: Emil...

On this week's episode, we're taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane to the era of MySpace! Before Zuckerberg, Spotify, and smartphones, we were coding profile pages and curating the perfect friend's list. Learn about its rise and fall, the marketing tactics that went wrong, and how it changed the social media landscape. From being a platform for budding musicians like Lily Allen and Arctic Monk...

This episode is not for the faint of heart we are spinning the tale of Wirecard, the German fintech darling turned scandal central. Expect tech wunderkinds, risky markets, accounting trickery, and a dash of journalist intimidation. Remember, unicorns aren't always what they seem - sometimes they're just goats wearing party hats! Tune in for a wild journey through the world of corporate shenanigans...

Once a household name that once dominated the wellness industry but ultimately struggled to adapt to changing societal attitudes. From its humble origins and the impact of its points system to the decision to rebrand as WW, we'll delve into the factors that contributed to the company's downfall. Explore how WW's failure to shift its focus from weight loss to holistic wellness led to controversial...

We're back for season 2! Everybody knows someone and their aunty who has partaken in the F45 Fitness Craze. But much like a sprinter who forgot to warm up or a bodybuilder who forgot their protein shake, F45 is in trouble! Join us as we dive into the captivating story of F45, the innovative fitness franchise that took the world by storm, faced its share of challenges, and now eyes a potential come...

Join us as we wrap up Season 1 and discuss critical takeaways, updates, and lessons learned from the fascinating stories we've covered this season. From Volkswagon's grand fall, the Lego Universe, to the return of Ed Hardy, we've got plenty of exciting updates to share. Plus, we touch on the importance of good governance and avoiding entrepreneurial silos. And, of course, we can't forget our "Con...

What can be said about Big Review TV that hasn't already been summed up by the Australian Financial Review's article titled " The story behind Australia's worst accounting scandal ?" Well turns out plenty! Join Emily and Dale for a special Big Con Origins Episode as we take Disco Lab's Victoria Beal through the Ill-fated Big Review TV, an almost-Australian-tech-unicorn, a 2017 stock market darling...

What led to a multi-billion dollar company lying to government bodies, your staff being jailed and putting people's lives at risk? We dive into the Volkswagen emissions scandal, environmental crimes, cheating scandals, and doubling down instead of admitting defeat. The scandal raises questions about the internal culture at Volkswagen and what leads to a GDP-impacting disaster! 📕 Show Menu - https...

Lego, the toy company that had recently bounced back from near bankruptcy, had set its sights on innovation. Their target: massively multiplayer online (MMO) video games. Despite their previous failures in the video game industry, Lego was determined to make a digital version of their iconic bricks a reality. They wanted to capture the audience who preferred virtual building, and they knew they ha...

It's hard to imagine a world without Lego - the colourful, interlocking bricks that have captured the hearts and imaginations of children and adults alike for generations. But did you know this beloved toy almost didn't exist as we know it today? In the latest episode of the Big Con Podcast, we explore the drama-ridden story of how Lego went from a family-owned Billund toy company to a global powe...

Remember when Ebay owned Skype? We do! In this riveting podcast episode, we delve into the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and uncover a shocking truth: many deals end up worse for the outcome. Emily and Dale will provide a compelling case study of eBay's acquisition of Skype, a $2.6 billion deal that, on the surface, was a big old failure, but the truth is much more interesting. Like...

This episode looks at Quibi, the "quick bites" mobile-only streaming service that no one had ever heard of, except for maybe the 175 celebrities who starred in its content. A Star-studded lineup of original content? Check. Big-name investors? Check. A marketing strategy that perhaps didn't make sense? You betcha! Quibi's business model was like trying to sell ice to Eskimos... on Mars. Our listene...

We discuss the rise of Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) companies, specifically focusing on the wellness industry and essential oils. The essential oils industry is currently valued at US$ 19.7 billion as of 2021, making it a popular target for MLM companies. We explore the recruitment process of MLM companies and how they encourage flexible working, word-of-mouth sales, and passionate employees but al...

We discuss the story of Jarnah and her candle company, Dreamer Candle Co. Jarnah, a student and entrepreneur, started making and selling high-quality, affordable candles online during lockdown and turned to TikTok to reach customers. The platform's algorithm can push a video to go viral overnight with just a few likes, leading to rapid growth for businesses. However, the unpredictable nature of Ti...

Get ready for a wild ride through the late 2000s a time of the Global Financial Crisis, Bitcoins, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (aka the good old days) And what better way to kick off this time machine than with the story of the Ed Hardy Fashion brand, one of the few brands of clothing to be banned in certain establishments and the ultimate symbol of …well we all know. But before you go reachi...

Welcome to The Big Con, the podcast where we dive into the wild world of business blunders and figure out where things went wrong (or right, but let's be real, mostly wrong) and use the benefit of hindsight and a healthy dose of schadenfreude to look at where there was an impact on either their profit, their brand, or something much more dire. Hosted by Emily Kay, a Harvard Extension Student and f...