Business Made Personal

"A tingle of fear is good because that's giving you the right knowledge that you're probably pushing yourself to where you'll grow and learn." Brendan Dunne walks around with a set of post-it notes because, in his words, if it can't fit on the post-it note, it's probably not going to get done. This approach has served him well in his different leadership roles ov...

"People said I was ambitious. I didn't see that in myself. I just had that thirst for understanding the industry." Rebecca has advice for those seeking an insurance career: believe in yourself, trust that you can do it, be prepared to take chances, and keep your mind open to alternative views. She is also quick to point out that understanding AI will be fundamental to the future, wh...

"For me, one of the real opportunities for us as an industry is to shape the future of Australian communities." Scott  is not someone who believes that AI robots will take over all our jobs, but he thinks we will need to work differently in the future. Key to that will be our ability to learn to interact with people who have different personality types.  Business Made Personal is hosted...

"Ultimately, a leader is recognised by the outcome, not the path to how you get there." Every successful career has a price tag attached. Nigel Fitzgerald discusses the impact that long hours have had, both positive and negative, on his work and personal life. He is the first to acknowledge that he is no martyr and chose that path even to the extent of declining to be the best man at a c...

"I think you deliver great results if you can develop a great culture". David Leach attributes his success to six key aspects he has had to develop to add value in his CEO roles: Communication, Professional Relationships, Knowledge and Expertise, Tools, Time Management, and on-time delivery and attitude. Based on his experience in other industries, he also believes that the insurance ind...

"Success comes when you proactively embrace and lead with integrity and passion." Suzie White is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusivity. Having helped shape women's careers over many years, including her own, Suzie has made it her mission to foster, mentor, and support career growth for both women and men.  Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira , exploring the r...

"Coming in with a really open mind and an eagerness to listen and learn has served me well, and it still does." Prue Monument spent 20 years in government roles, but nothing could have prepared her for the profound impact of supporting Syrian refugees. This work deeply shook her confidence and worldview for a time. Reflecting on her journey, Prue credits her parents for instilling a sens...

"That's one great thing about our industry: people will always give you the time no matter who they are, how high up they are or wherever they are." Considering the enormous risk of purchasing a brokerage, Jonathan Lam didn't realise how many hats he would wear as a business owner, knowing that the buck had stopped with him. One significant advantage has been spending time with...

"You're at work for a long time, so if you don't enjoy it, go and find somewhere else." Discussing the varied roles in his working life, Mike Edmonds has always had a strong desire to win, whether swimming, rugby or playing in a pipe band. In this podcast, Mike says that one of his key learnings, as he has developed his career, is that, these days, “I'm probably a bit more...

"I’ve always been motivated and largely happy at work." Having seen the evolution of insurance claims for over 30 years, David Gow is still amazed at the education his role gives him. He cites one learning that he was unaware of: that Easter eggs are made all year round. He also notes the privilege of being able to assist people in their most difficult times.  Business Made Personal is h...

"It's natural to be nervous in certain circumstances, but you have to be fearless at the same time." When Kerryn moved from a country town in Victoria to Melbourne at the age of 21, she knew she would have to prove herself. Kerryn has seen her career grow and develop by focusing on a positive mindset, educating herself, learning from mentors, and listening to podcasts.  Business Mad...

"We're here to serve, and you serve by leading, but you also lead by serving." Moving from South Africa at the age of 12, Richard always believed that resilience was at the core of his survival. Speaking of life’s challenges, Richard says, "What you can control is how you respond, and what you can control is how you prepare." Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silvei...

"It doesn't matter if you don't understand something. What's important is that you want to understand it!" Adapting constantly to change since the age of 2 has given Oren Jacobi a unique view of what is required to become truly resilient. His career journey highlights just that and is also reflected in what he feels is essential in his personal life. He states his purpose:...

"I’ve seen favouritism in businesses before, and it acts like a virus!" Meg Long has firm views on what Diversity should and shouldn’t mean, what Ai is likely to do to the industry and why she loves seeing people build their businesses within the business she works in.  Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira , exploring the real journeys of leaders in insurance, business, and...

"Purpose and passion are important in anything you get to do, whether it's your work role or a side interest." Paul's desire for financial independence started early—at the age of 14. He started in insurance at 18 and, in addition to his day job, is a huge influence on the insurance community when it comes to making a difference for the LGBTQIA+ and other diverse communities th...

"So (ESG) is not all about minimizing the risk; it's actually about seeing and seizing some of these opportunities, and that needs leadership that sees beyond the quarter-by-quarter reporting cycles." Having worked in various areas, including market research, teaching English, TV ratings, local government, ethical funds manager, and elite sportspeople, and having spent time in Rural...

"When I started out originally, I said to myself, ‘How awesome would it be to be in every major state I wanted to be in?’." By his own admission, Franz Du Plessis has made quite a few mistakes in the last few years, but that has not stopped him from acquiring multiple businesses in various industries. Driven by his mantra of just being happy and enjoying what he and his team do and learn...

"How do we get out of our own way so we can be transformational leaders?" Speaking of the insurance industry, Lyle Steffensen says, “We're an industry of mavericks. We're an industry of people who don't fit other places”. She follows that up with, “But I don't think I've met many people who know that.” It is clear that Lyle has a passion for the insurance industr...

"I've never been good at being a specialist at anything so I became a generalist at everything." Like many people in this podcast series, mine is a migrant's story infused with the generous support of so many people, particularly from within the Insurance Industry. The ability to develop relationships and create a career working across so many diverse sectors of the insurance i...

"I look back now, and I think this (insurance) industry has made me a better person. That, to me, is the value of this industry; it gives as much back as you put into it." An accounting background allowed David Cook to work in retail. In his words, “Accounting wasn't for me. It just didn't suit me and my style. I loved the retail side of it, but sitting down there crunching num...

"You've got to put the hard yards in, and there’s no easy path, no shortcut; you have to do the hard work!" Jonathan's first foray into insurance was with the Nottingham City Council In England. He felt he had found his calling in their insurance claims department. He then moved to Australia in 1994 and met some great people. His love affair with loss adjusting began with GAB R...

"Insurance was never on my radar. It didn't strike me as a career." Eradicating doubt is imperative in clearing the first hurdle to a successful career, and Kara McInnes discusses how she managed to do that in her life and career. In dealing with clients suffering significant stress during major catastrophes, she believes that using emotional intelligence and remaining emotionally r...

"I always wanted to be better for myself. It was never that I wanted to be better than somebody else." Migrating from Ireland with a background in banking meant that Shaneika had to take a step back and start from the beginning in the insurance world. Her thirst for learning has seen her escalate her career in a very short time frame, and in 2023, Insurance Business honoured her with the...

"I found it (Antarctica) the most incredible place to be (for work). The scenery, the shades and the colours and the vastness of where you change your whole mindset" Complex, interesting, major losses helped pave the way to become the loss adjuster and person Nick is today. In his own words, “When I left the farm, I never ever imagined I would be doing what I now do or become what I am n...

"Your footprint should be bigger than yourself." Influenced by a grandmother and father, both of whom devoted their time to public service, Katrina Shanks has established a huge presence public presence in New Zealand and, as a recent migrant to Australia, hopes to continue that work in her new role as CEO of ANZIIF.  Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira , exploring the real...