Vistage Live - Australia and New Zealand - Business and Leadership Insights

Most businesses don't have a sales problem. They have a sales system problem. In this episode of Vistage LIVE, Stephanie Christopher sits down with Paul O'Donohue, Founder and CEO of SalesStar, to explore why so many organisations struggle with inconsistent sales performance and what separates high-performing sales teams from the rest. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience helping businesses...

In this episode of Vistage LIVE , Stephanie Christopher speaks with John Gutteridge about the intersection of global strategy, small business leadership and the accelerating impact of AI. Drawing on his experience leading global organisations and scaling smaller ventures, John highlights a key distinction. While large organisations deal with complexity, small businesses deal with consequence, wher...

In this episode of Vistage LIVE , Stephanie explores leadership, resilience, and high performance with Brad Thomas, technology executive, board leader, and three-time Paralympian. Brad shares his journey from elite Paralympic sport to leading global technology businesses, drawing powerful parallels between athletic performance and business leadership. From competing on the world stage to transform...

In this episode of Vistage LIVE , futurist Dr Ben Hamer —recently named the #1 thought leader on the Future of Work in the Asia-Pacific—joins Stephanie Christopher for a powerful conversation on what leaders must pay attention to now to stay future-ready. Ben explores curiosity as the defining capability of high-performing leaders and organisations, explaining why it outperforms any single technic...

In this energising episode of Vistage LIVE , Stephanie Christopher sits down with keynote speaker, coach and creator of Brain Blinkers , Anthony Bonnici , to explore how our own thinking often limits our potential. Drawing on more than 20 years of global speaking and leadership coaching, Anthony reveals the three key mental barriers that hold people back and how leaders can identify and remove the...

In this episode of Vistage LIVE , host Stephanie Christopher sits down with John Broons —family business expert, author of Creating a Thriving Family Business: Progress, Not Perfection , and long-time Vistage Chair. John shares four decades of experience advising family enterprises across Australia and globally, unpacking the unique challenges of intergenerational wealth transfer, governance, and...

In this episode of Vistage LIVE , host Stephanie Christopher is joined by Dr Chris Stephenson — a transformational leader with over 25 years of global executive experience and a doctorate in strategic decision-making. Chris has led company turnarounds across 12 countries and now mentors CEOs, helping them navigate complexity, make smarter choices, and unlock transformational growth. Chris unpacks...

In this episode of Vistage LIVE , host Stephanie Christopher is joined by Ron Gauci—new Vistage Chair, seasoned CEO, and transformation expert whose leadership career spans Telstra, IBM, Microsoft, Melbourne Storm, Federation Square and more. Ron shares hard-won insights from leading organisations through adversity, uncovering potential, and achieving sustainable turnarounds—not just in crisis, bu...

What does it take to build a profitable business without compromising your values? In this episode of Vistage LIVE , Stephanie sits down with Vanessa Cullen — founder of Forward Thinking Design and a true pioneer of sustainable, values-led leadership. With over 20 years’ experience across the commercial and not-for-profit sectors, Vanessa shares how she’s turned ethics into enterprise, designing b...

In this episode of Vistage LIVE , Vistage Australia and New Zealand MD Stephanie Christopher interviews Rob Ristagno, President, International at Vistage. Rob shares his insights on the evolving landscape of leadership and the challenges CEOs face in a rapidly changing business environment. He emphasises the importance of adaptability, strategic decision-making, and leveraging community-based lear...

In this insightful episode of Vistage Live , Stephanie Christopher sits down with Ari Galper, the world’s leading authority on trust-based selling and the founder of "Unlock the Sales Game." Ari shares his journey from high-tech sales to pioneering a sales philosophy that flips traditional methods on their head. He introduces the revolutionary concept of trust-based selling, where the key to closi...

In this dynamic episode of Vistage LIVE , Stephanie Christopher speaks with Emma Doyle — a former elite tennis player turned corporate high-performance coach. Emma shares how her early coaching experiences on the tennis court shaped her leadership philosophy, ultimately driving her to work with CEOs and business leaders across the world. Drawing parallels between sport and leadership, Emma unpacks...

In this engaging episode of Vistage LIVE, host Stephanie Christopher sits down with Tony Chamberlain—Vistage Chair, seasoned executive, and former Undercover Boss—to explore the power of leadership forged through real-world experience. Tony reflects on his early ambitions to run businesses, his transformative leadership at Staging Connections, and his evolution from hands-on CEO to thoughtful ment...

Mark Bregman, a distinguished global business leader with a rich background in technology strategy and entrepreneurship, delivers profound insights into leadership, innovation and strategic thinking. Drawing from his extensive experience across Fortune 500 companies and startups, Bregman explores the nuanced art of leading organisations, emphasising the critical balance between operational excelle...

In this episode of Vistage LIVE , Stephanie Christopher speaks with Mark Puncher, a leading expert in employer branding and talent marketing, about how business leaders can navigate today’s rapidly changing workforce landscape. With economic pressures mounting and employee expectations shifting, Mark explores the risks of employer-employee disconnection and the crucial role of leadership in foster...

In this insightful episode of Vistage Live, host Stephanie Christopher sits down with Michael Donoghue, founder of AdvisorAI, to demystify the critical journey of AI adoption for businesses. Drawing from his 16 years of expertise in fintech, digital payments, and AI innovation, Donoghue provides a pragmatic roadmap for organisations navigating artificial intelligence. The conversation cuts through...

Before you dive into strategic planning, have you clarified your strategic direction? In this episode of Vistage Live , Jon Lindsay, a leadership expert with over 30 years of business experience and Vistage Chair, shares the crucial first step that often gets overlooked: defining where you want to go and why and unpacks how leaders can bring clarity to their organisation's purpose and priorities,...

Listen to this insightful conversation with Tim Trumper, author of "AI Game On," as he shares practical wisdom on how businesses of all sizes can effectively embrace AI. As both an entrepreneur and chairman of a multi-billion dollar conglomerate (NRMA), Tim brings a unique dual perspective on AI adoption that bridges the gap between entrepreneurial innovation and corporate governance. Key highligh...

In this episode our guest Ashton Bishop challenges typical marketing myths, jargon, and the emphasis on vanity metrics that often obscure true profitability and growth and demystifies the distinctions between B2B and B2C marketing. A must listen for CEOs and business leaders this frank and insightful conversation provides actionable insights to help leaders optimise their marketing effectiveness a...

In this episode of Vistage Live, Maja Paleka joins host Stephanie Christopher to discuss the evolving relationship between individuals and work, particularly in the post COVID world. They explore the shift in how people view work, the rise of anti-work sentiments, and the importance of balancing care and accountability in leadership. Maja explains that many people experienced a paradigm shift duri...

In this epidsode Ron Schwartz, founder of Brass Tax and expert in organisational transformation shares valuable insights on aligning your organisation by asking five key questions, and the importance of roles, goals, and decision rights. Whether you're a small business or a large corporation, Ron's advice on creating effective management systems and aligning talent is a must-listen! Tune in to lea...

In this episode Stephanie Christopher talks to Jane Lewis, Principal at the Outlook Consulting Group, about the challenges of change in professional services firms. Jane discusses the importance of tapping into the emotional and purpose-driven drivers of employees in order to navigate change successfully. She also emphasises the need for leaders to understand the difference between technical probl...

In this episode Raj Narayan, founder and CEO of Emajin Golf, delves into the concept of combining business with a shared passion, in this case, golf. This innovative approach to strategic networking provides a fresh perspective on building authentic and meaningful business connections. Gain valuable tips on how to build strategic relationships, including the importance of authenticity, the right t...

Simon Hunter, writer, director, and producer with over 30 years of experience in the film industry discusses the intersection of storytelling and leadership in business. Simon explains how the Hero's Journey, a narrative structure found in mythology and films, can be applied to personal and professional development. He emphasises the importance of authenticity and self-awareness in leadership and...

Warren Hogan brings an Insightful Economic Analysis and makes the complex simple. As a prominent figure in the Australian business community, his insights directly impact businesses of all sizes, providing practical implications for navigating economic challenges and opportunities. He delves into the implications of government policies, offers credible forecasting and provides a long-term perspect...