Business Focus

Is your LinkedIn strategy driving real results, or just ticking boxes? In this practical episode, Harriet Mellor from Your Sales Co joins us to unpack what it really takes to turn LinkedIn into a powerful sales engine. Whether you're in marketing, business development, or sales leadership, this is your blueprint for cutting through the noise and generating meaningful conversations.🔹 The top m...

In the final episode of our Cyber Horror Stories series, Matt O’Kane is back to walk us through a real-world ransomware incident that tested a business’s cyber resilience strategy. In this episode, we cover:🔹 How malware was introduced through seemingly safe software🔹 The critical role of ‘Assume Breach’ in early detection🔹 What effective containment and recovery look like in practice🔹 The imp...

Welcome back to Part 2 of our Cyber Horror Stories series with incident response expert Matt O’Kane. In this episode, we dig into a real-world story from the pandemic era, when a marketing manager, a BYOD MacBook, and a fractured workplace relationship led to a messy cyber security and IP theft incident. Matt also walks us through the forensic dead-ends, poor device management, and missed logging...

Welcome to Cyber Horror Stories 💻 👻 — a mini-series featuring real incidents, real consequences, and the very real lessons learned from three chilling (and true) cyber security incidents. Joining host Brendan Ritchie is Matt O'Kane, Director at Notion Digital Forensics. When it comes to cyber security... Matt's seen the worst of the worst. And he's also the kind of guy who doesn’t ju...

This podcast episode features cybersecurity expert Ross Sardi from First Focus, discussing a recent cybersecurity breach that led to legal and regulatory scrutiny. They provide actionable insights on strengthening cybersecurity strategies, mitigating risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance to protect businesses from similar threats. 🚨 Could your business survive a cyberattack? Learn how to safe...

The Secret to Business Longevity: Succession Planning Done Right! How do successful leaders ensure their business thrives beyond their tenure? In this exclusive episode, Peter Paddon, the visionary behind First Focus, shares his journey, insights, and the succession planning strategies that secured the company’s future. 🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ The role of succession planning in lo...

As AI adoption skyrockets, businesses face growing risks, regulatory uncertainty, and ethical challenges. Enter ISO 42001, the first AI-specific ISO standard designed to govern risk, data privacy, and ethical AI implementation. In this episode, Jason Maricchiolo from ISO 365 breaks down how businesses can align AI usage with compliance, mitigate risks, and prepare for future regulations. If your o...

💡 What does it take to turn a startup company into a successful industry-leading organisation? In this episode, Peter Paddon, founder of First Focus, draws on 20+ years of experience, sharing the hard-earned lessons behind growing a business from scratch, surviving near-bankruptcy, and scaling to success.🚀 Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or leader looking to scale and grow yo...

In this episode, we’re diving into B2B & tech content marketing strategies with Wim Kerkhoff, a marketing expert and SaaS entrepreneur. We discuss the future of content marketing, the impact of AI, video marketing trends, and how businesses can maximise ROI with a smarter approach to digital strategy. From SEO best practices to leveraging LinkedIn and video testimonials, we break down what act...

Is there a better way to measure customer experience than the traditional Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT)? In this episode, Brendan Ritchie sits down with Mark Alayev, CEO at Thread, to explore how Customer Effort Score (CES) is revolutionising how businesses approach customer experience and service delivery.🔍 What is Customer Effort Score (CES)?Customer Effort Score focuses on the ease with w...

In this episode, we sit down with Kosta, our Head of Software Development at First Focus. From creating seamless automation processes to delivering on-demand reporting and crafting bespoke web and app solutions, Kosta breaks it all down with real-world examples that will inspire you to think differently about your business operations. 👩‍💻 What You'll Learn in This Episode: - How automation c...

What does it take to create an exceptional customer experience? Join us as we chat with Alan Komet, Chief Customer Officer at ConnectWise, about how to optimise customer journeys using clear processes, technology, and AI. Alan shares his 30+ years of experience in the channel, offering practical advice on: ✨ Aligning the right customers with the right products ✨ Breaking down onboarding into sea...

Join us as we sit down with Anup Ghosh, CEO of ThreatMate, at IT Nation Connect in Orlando! In this conversation, we discuss: 🛡️ The origins and mission of ThreatMate (and the clever chess analogy behind its name). 🔍 Why focusing on risk and exposure matters more than patching endless vulnerabilities. 💡 How standards like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework guide better business outcomes. 📈 The un...

Struggling with cashflow challenges in your business? You're not alone, and we've got the insights to help you thrive. In this episode, Brendan Ritchie sits down with Paul MacNeil, VP and GM of Payments at ConnectWise, during the IT Nation Connect conference in Orlando. Paul shares his journey from running an MSP to developing tools that revolutionise how businesses approach payments and cashflow....

Join Brendan Ritchie, Chief Growth Officer at First Focus, in this engaging conversation recorded at IT Nation Connect Orlando. Brendan shares his 20-year journey with content-led marketing—from scrappy blogs with no budget to leading a video-first strategy. Discover actionable tips on: ✅ Using content to drive sales and retention for mid-market businesses. ✅ Balancing quality and consistency in...

What will AI will be capable of in the near future? What do we need to be doing now in order to capitalise on AI’s future capability? How do we need to think about the problems it can solve for us in business? As the CEO of First Focus, Ross Sardi regularly speaks to large audiences on these subjects, and in this episode he’ll share his knowledge with you. Fresh from his presentation at IT Nation...

In this episode of the Business Focus Podcast, we explore the impact of hybrid IT environments on both employee experience (EX) and customer experience (CX). Join Brendan and Ed Parangodan, Mac Specialist from Synnex, as they explore how providing the right technology, like Mac or PC options, can drive productivity, improve employee satisfaction, and ultimately enhance customer outcomes. We also t...

In this episode of Business Focus, we explore the power of building authentic business communities and peer groups. Featuring Nick Moran and Greg Lalle, we uncover how creating a strong, trust-based community can drive growth and success for businesses. From the importance of sharing knowledge with competitors to overcoming introversion in a leadership role, this conversation highlights the value...

Business leaders with extensive experience share their insights on optimising sales and the crucial role of the owner in this process. Whether it's about integrating the owner into the sales strategy or freeing up their schedule to focus on other priorities that match their interests and skillset, this discussion uncovers various ways to enhance effectiveness. Sales are the backbone of any bus...

In this episode, we explore the unique sales and marketing challenges businesses may face and provide tips to improve or enhance your business strategy. Join Brendan and Ross as they discuss tips on driving business growth with industry experts Nate Austin, Ben Town, Nigel Moore and Peter Kujawa Key Takeaways: - Overcoming introversion and confidently promoting your business - Strategies to differ...

The AI revolution has opened up countless possibilities across industries. However, analysing its use and measuring outcomes isn't as straightforward as it seems. In this episode, we dive into real-world examples where AI has played a pivotal role, particularly in the MSP industry. Mark Iles, a speaker with deep, multi-industry expertise, offers a compelling and practical approach to how AI ca...

In this powerful episode, Brendan and Ross sit down with Scott Scrogin, Strategic Initiatives Director, to delve into the often overlooked but critical topic of mental health within the workplace. Scott shares his personal journey and insights on mental health, the importance of vulnerability, and practical steps leaders can take to foster a supportive environment. From breaking stigmas to creatin...

Adam Spencer – MC, speaker, comedian, author & maths geek. Russell Crowe is on record as saying that when Adam gets his geek on, it’s a joy to behold, and he’s not wrong. Before taking the stage to present his keynote address at IT Nation Sydney 2024, Adam joined Ross Sardi, CEO of First Focus, and Brendan Ritchie, Chief Growth Officer at First Focus, to discuss where AI is taking us. What mak...

In this multi-layered episode of Business Focus, we're excited to welcome back Ross, our CEO, to discuss some major updates and plans for the year ahead. Here’s what we’re covering: - Our recent acquisition of Lettscom, highlighting the growing importance of establishing a strong local presence and the exciting future for our team and customers in South Australia - How the Gazelles Framework h...

In this episode of Business Focus, we explore the important topic of strategic succession planning with Gavin Hall, Director at The Acquire Group. As businesses evolve, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership becomes vital to maintaining your company’s future. Whether you're an owner preparing for an exit or a leader looking to address key person risk, this discussion is filled with practic...