Business Focus

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Oct 2026

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If you’re part of a mid-sized organisation with 50 to 300 people, this podcast is for you. Business Focus is a dedicated platform for exploring valuable tools in the business world, offering top-quality insights for anyone eager to enhance and push their professional performance or that of their team to the next level. Stay updated with the latest trends and updates alongside elite professionals from diverse sectors and industries, ensuring you're always at the forefront of innovation.

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October 12, 202620 min

Winning More Construction Tenders with Better Data and AI | AI Investment Fund NZ

Fitzgerald Construction General Manager and Quantity Surveyor Charlie Evans joins us to discuss how AI could help the business respond to more tenders, improve bid quality and protect commercial margins.With around 80% of Fitzgerald Construction’s work coming through tendering, the process can place significant pressure on a small team, particularly when large volumes of tenders arrive at once.In this conversation, Charlie explains how the business currently manages tender responses, where capacity constraints and margin risks arise, and how a data intelligence platform could help the team reuse information, identify risks and learn from previous bids.The goal is simple: spend less time repeating manual processes and more time submitting high-quality, commercially viable tenders.Timestamps 00:00 — Introducing Fitzgerald Construction 00:25 — Fitzgerald Construction’s services and nationwide reach 02:19 — The role of tendering in winning work 03:06 — Managing fluctuating tender volumes 04:15 — The pressure and cost of outsourcing tender responses 05:24 — Improving tender quality, win rates and margins 06:32 — Fitzgerald’s current tender response process 07:35 — The scale and complexity of tender documents 09:01 — How the team is already using AI 10:09 — Reusing information across tenders 11:17 — What a data intelligence platform could enable 12:53 — How AI could improve the day-to-day workflow 14:31 — Learning from lost tenders 15:49 — Reducing siloed knowledge and key-person risk 16:54 — Building on existing business data 17:16 — The importance of high-quality data 17:55 — What success could look like over the next 12 months 19:23 — Moving from tendering constraints to delivery capacity 20:13 — Closing thoughtsRead the full story on our website: firstfocus.co.nz/insights/ai-in-construction-fitzgerald-case-study #Construction #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Tendering #QuantitySurveying #BusinessGrowth

September 28, 202627 min

How AI Is Changing the Future of Accounting | AI Investment Fund NZ

Craig Nevatt from DNA Accountants joins us to discuss the firm’s winning AI initiative through the AI Investment NZ fund.With $20,000 in funding, DNA Accountants is developing an AI-powered review assistant designed to identify inconsistencies, omissions and errors in accounts, tax returns and supporting documents before they reach a manager for formal review.The potential impact is significant: saving 30–45 minutes per engagement, reducing rework, improving turnaround times and creating more space for accountants to focus on strategic advice and client relationships.Craig also shares his thoughts on AI adoption, changing hiring priorities, the future of accounting and why curiosity, empathy and commercial thinking will become increasingly important skills.Chapters:00:00 Introducing DNA Accountants and the AI initiative01:32 Craig’s background and the growth of the business04:17 DNA Accountants’ ideal clients05:47 The current review process08:00 How AI can reduce rework and double handling09:01 Measuring the return on investment11:23 Driving AI adoption across the team15:45 The changing skills required in accounting18:24 How AI is reshaping the profession20:14 The 12-month vision for DNA Accountants23:48 The next opportunities for AI in accounting25:53 Data intelligence, security and the future26:48 Closing thoughts#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Accounting #Automation #NewZealandBusiness #FutureOfWorkSubscribe for more conversations about AI, business transformation and the future of work.

September 23, 202624 min

Dr Jason Fox on Staying Relevant in Uncertain Times | IT Nation Sydney 2026

Brendan and Ross catch up with Dr Jason Fox at IT Nation ANZ 2026 to explore why wisdom and discernment matter more than ever in an age of rapidly advancing AI. Jason discusses the “midwit trap” and how large language models can create an inflated sense of expertise, even when their answers sound convincing.They also explore how to think beyond purely rational systems, how leaders can create stability during uncertain times, and why doubt can be evidence of genuine thinking. The conversation covers AI, antifragility, best practice versus next practice, the value of disconnection and the importance of noticing anomalies before they become opportunities. They wrap up by discussing vocation, value and why businesses should look beyond profit alone.Timestamps[ 0:00 ] Introduction and meeting Dr Jason Fox at IT Nation ANZ 2026[ 0:20 ] How Jason became involved with IT Nation ANZ[ 1:43 ] Why wisdom matters more than intelligence[ 4:04 ] AI, relevance and the danger of overconfidence[ 5:03 ] The “midwit trap” and the illusion of expertise[ 7:40 ] Why we need to think beyond rationality[ 9:23 ] Leading through uncertainty and complexity[ 10:40 ] Creating “islands of coherence” for teams[ 11:23 ] The wizard’s path: using power without being corrupted[ 13:47 ] AI validation and “glazing psychosis”[ 15:02 ] Why doubt is evidence of thinking[ 16:01 ] Antifragility and becoming stronger through challenge[ 18:02 ] How teams notice the next big opportunity[ 19:14 ] Best practice versus next practice[ 20:24 ] Negative capability and the value of disconnection[ 22:40 ] Finding vocation and meaning beyond profit[ 24:14 ] Closing thoughtsFollow First Focus on LinkedIn for more conversations with technology leaders, innovators and industry experts 🔗 www.linkedin.com/company/first-focus-itSubscribe to the First Focus YouTube channel for more episodes from IT Nation ANZ 2026.Special thanks to ConnectWise and IT Nation for supporting these conversations.

September 15, 202625 min

Adam Spencer on AI, Robotics & What’s Coming Next | IT Nation Sydney 2026

Brendan and Ross catch up with Adam Spencer at IT Nation ANZ to explore how much AI has changed over the past 12 months.Adam discusses AI solving complex problems while still making surprisingly basic mistakes, and what that means for human expertise. They also explore the economics of AI, the rapid rise of robotics and where these technologies could have the biggest real world impact.The conversation also tackles “brain fade” and the risks of becoming too reliant on AI, before wrapping up with a surprising robot vacuum story about cybersecurity, privacy and the smart devices entering our homes.Timestamps[0:00] Introduction and the third annual AI catch-up at IT Nation ANZ[1:09] How dramatically AI capability has changed in 12 months[2:52] How multi-agent AI helped tackle a decades-old mathematics problem[5:03] Why powerful AI can still get surprisingly simple questions wrong[7:00] What AI means for mathematicians and human expertise[10:12] The economics of AI and whether the market is becoming a bubble[11:52] Could the AI market consolidate around a handful of major players?[12:14] Why smaller, local AI models could handle most everyday tasks[12:53] The extraordinary acceleration of humanoid robotics[15:12] Robots, dexterity and competing with elite table tennis players[16:49] Where robotics could have the biggest practical impact[17:23] Robotics, AI and the future of aged care[19:20] China’s lead in the global robotics race[20:00] “Brain fade” and the risks of becoming too dependent on AI[22:00] Why businesses may need to rethink how they assess human skills[23:00] The robot vacuum story every smart-device owner should hear[24:44] Simple cybersecurity hygiene for connected devicesFollow First Focus on LinkedIn for more conversations with technology leaders, innovators and industry experts 🔗 www.linkedin.com/company/first-focus-itSubscribe to the First Focus YouTube channel for more episodes from IT Nation ANZ 2026. Special thanks to ConnectWise and IT Nation for supporting these conversations.

August 11, 202627 min

Did the AI investment fund work? Pengana's story continued

Continuing our conversation with Varun Gupta from Pengana Capital Group, we shift from the technical side of AI implementation to something just as important: creating a workplace where employees are encouraged to solve problems. We earlier covered the business case behind Pengana Capital Group's AI fund project: why repetitive investor emails were the first target, the projected ROI, and the long-term vision for AI across the business.In this episode, we pick up where that conversation left off.Varun Gupta from Pengana explains what happened after the proposal was approved, how the project moved into implementation, and why getting buy-in across the business was just as important as choosing the right technology. We also discuss the role leadership played in backing the idea, why the project came from someone closest to the day-to-day work, and what other organisations can learn from the process.Rather than treating AI as an IT initiative, Pengana approached it as a business improvement project, starting with a clear operational problem and building from there.Key Takeaways✓ The hardest part isn't always the technology, it's getting the right people behind the idea.✓ AI projects don't have to start with senior leadership. The people closest to the work often see the biggest opportunities.✓ Internal support helped turn a business case into a funded project.✓ Successful AI implementation depends on collaboration between business teams and technical specialists.✓ Solving one operational problem creates momentum for future AI initiatives.✓ Building a culture where employees can improve processes makes long-term innovation much easier.

June 30, 20268 min

Hatz Explained: The Secure Multi-Model AI for Businesses | First Focus & CORE

Your people are already using AI. The question is whether your business has the visibility, governance and support needed to make that usage safe, productive and scalable.In this conversation, Brendan Ritchie and Jack Behrns discuss how Hatz fits into the CORE managed services model, and why it is a strong option for businesses that already have staff experimenting with different AI tools.Unlike choosing a single AI platform and hoping it stays ahead, Hatz gives users access to multiple leading AI models through one secure, governed interface. That means finance, marketing, operations and leadership teams can use the models that work best for their roles, while the business keeps oversight, control and confidence around data use.They also cover how Hatz supports AI adoption, why the platform can be more cost-effective than individual AI subscriptions, and how CORE helps businesses turn AI from scattered experimentation into a managed, measurable productivity strategy.If your business is thinking seriously about AI, automation, data governance or secure adoption, CORE gives you the operating model to make it work.Learn more about CORE: https://www.firstfocus.com.au/services/core/Key Chapters:00:00 – Why Hatz matters inside COREBrendan and Jack introduce Hatz as one of the AI platform choices available through CORE, alongside ChatGPT Business and Microsoft Copilot.00:35 – Hatz vs ChatGPT and CopilotJack explains how Hatz suits businesses where different teams are already using different AI models, and how it brings that usage into a secure, governed environment.01:49 – Solving shadow AI without limiting usersThe discussion covers why businesses do not need to pick one winning LLM, and how Hatz lets staff keep flexibility while giving the organisation visibility and control.03:16 – What the Hatz user experience looks likeJack walks through the interface, onboarding experience, AI champion certification, and why users familiar with ChatGPT, Claude or other AI tools should feel at home.05:28 – Why Hatz can be more cost-effectiveThey unpack the commercial model, including pooled AI credits, enterprise buying power, token usage and why this can deliver AI access at SMB-friendly pricing.

June 4, 20261 hr 9 min

AI Adoption, ROI & High Value Use Cases | Ask Me Anything with Jack Behrns

In this AI AMA webinar, First Focus AI Strategy Lead Jack and host Brendan Ritchie answer some of the most common questions business leaders are asking right now, including: ✅ How to prepare your business for AI adoption ✅ Data governance and AI security best practices ✅ Reducing AI tool sprawl and shadow AI ✅ Measuring AI ROI and identifying quick wins ✅ Real-world AI case studies delivering results ✅ AI agents, automation and productivity gains ✅ Copilot vs ChatGPT – which is right for your business? The discussion draws on First Focus' own AI journey, lessons learned from internal deployments, and practical experience helping organisations implement AI successfully. Whether you're just starting your AI journey or looking to scale existing initiatives, this session provides practical guidance on governance, adoption, security, and measurable business outcomes. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Welcome & Webinar Overview 01:04 – How First Focus Adopted AI Internally & Lessons Learned 03:53 – What Does an AI Strategy Lead Actually Do? 07:44 – Why the Traditional MSP Model Is Changing in the AI Era 13:35 – AI Readiness: Data Governance, Security & Preparation 20:33 – Managing AI Risk, Shadow AI & Tool Sprawl 33:34 – Measuring AI ROI & Finding High-Impact Use Cases 43:28 – Real-World AI Case Studies, AI Agents, Automation & Copilot vs ChatGPT 🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS • AI success starts with clear business problems, not technology selection. • Data governance remains the foundation of effective AI adoption. • Shadow AI is often reduced by providing employees with secure, approved AI tools. • Quick wins and iterative improvements drive stronger adoption than large transformation projects. • Organisations should target measurable ROI and focus on practical productivity gains. • Internal knowledge assistants are among the most common and impactful AI use cases. • AI champions within teams accelerate adoption and innovation. • Security, governance, and user enablement are just as important as the AI platform itself. • Copilot, ChatGPT, and other AI platforms each have strengths depending on business requirements. • AI initiatives should be assessed based on outcomes, scalability, and business value rather than hype.

May 21, 202625 min

ASIC vs FIIG: The Critical Cybersecurity Controls You Might Be Missing

A $2.5 million cybersecurity penalty has changed the conversation around cyber risk in Australia. In this episode, we unpack the ASIC vs FIIG case, what actually happened during the cyber attack, and why regulators are now holding businesses accountable for cybersecurity preparedness. We discuss: What led to the FIIG data breach Why ASIC imposed such a significant penalty The cybersecurity controls FIIG allegedly lacked Why incident response planning matters What Australian SMEs should do now How cyber governance expectations are changing If your business handles sensitive customer data, this conversation is essential viewing. 💬 What’s your biggest cybersecurity concern right now? Let us know in the comments. 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on cybersecurity, business risk, compliance, and technology strategy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to the ASIC vs FIIG Case 01:10 – What Happened During the Cyber Attack 03:20 – How Malware Entered the Organisation 05:05 – Why ASIC Imposed a $2.5M Penalty 08:10 – Missing Cybersecurity Controls Explained 11:40 – The Importance of Incident Response Planning 15:30 – What Australian Businesses Must Do Next

May 5, 202633 min

Inside the First Focus + Integris Partnership: Building a Global Managed AI & IT Provider for SMBs

A week ago, the news broke that First Focus and Integris are joining forces to build the global managed AI and IT services provider for small and mid-sized businesses. In this conversation, recorded in Chicago, First Focus CEO Ross Sardi sits down with Integris CEO Rashaad Bajwa to go behind the press release.If you are a First Focus client, the takeaway is short. You keep the local team you already work with. You gain a much deeper bench of specialists, round-the-clock security cover from people who are awake when you are asleep, and faster access to AI use cases proven across a global SMB customer base. Nothing is being taken away. A lot is being added.In this episode, we cover: Why First Focus and Integris are the right fit, after years of running parallel playbooks on opposite sides of the world How the integration will actually work, and why local teams stay local Why scale matters more than ever in the age of AI, and how the combined business will run experiments across both markets Ross's new role as Chief Innovation Officer with global responsibility for AI product What changes immediately for clients in Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines Why the New Zealand market in particular stands to benefit A get-to-know-you segment with Ross and Rashaad The partnership is pending regulatory approval. More on growth plans, active acquisitions and what comes next is covered in the second half of the conversation.Subscribe for more conversations on managed services, cybersecurity and how AI is reshaping the way SMBs work.Chapters: 00:00 News of the partnership and what we are covering 00:38 Meet Rashaad Bajwa and the Integris story 03:01 Why First Focus and why Australia and New Zealand 06:22 What the partnership will actually look like 09:15 Pending regulatory approval and the planning window 10:31 AI is a big part of this conversation 13:33 Ross's new role as Chief Innovation Officer 16:25 Why MSP owners are joining rather than going alone 19:31 What ANZ and Philippines customers gain 23:09 What this means for the New Zealand market 24:50 Staying innovative as the business scales 30:42 Get to know Rashaad: rapid-fire questions35:14 Get to know Ross: rapid-fire questions42:12 Closing thoughts: only upside

April 29, 202618 min

How BCQ Improved Productivity and ROI with AI-Powered Reporting

In this episode, we sit down with Phil McCaw from Business Chamber Queensland to unpack how AI is being used to solve a very real executive problem: time lost in governance reporting . As part of an AI Investment Fund initiative, Business Chamber Queensland is building a solution to automate and enhance monthly reporting processes—freeing up leadership time while improving the quality and depth of insights. We explore how AI can connect data across teams, reduce manual effort, and ultimately drive better decision-making across an organisation. If you're thinking about AI in your business, this is a practical, real-world example of where it delivers measurable impact. Key takeaways: AI can save weeks of executive time by automating governance reporting processes Centralising data across Excel, Word, and other tools enables better visibility and consistency Understanding variance vs plan is critical to maintaining control of business performance AI helps uncover hidden relationships and insights across departments that humans often miss The goal isn’t reducing headcount—it’s freeing time to improve KPIs and team performance Outputs from AI should always be validated by subject matter experts (AI is ~80% accurate baseline) Strong governance, security, and training are essential foundations before scaling AI AI adoption can become a competitive advantage and inspiration for members/customers Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to the AI Investment Fund 00:24 – What Business Chamber Queensland Does 01:30 – The Problem: Time-Heavy Executive Reporting 03:19 – Quantifying the Time & Cost Impact 04:47 – How AI Will Solve the Problem 05:03 – The Importance of Variance Analysis 06:04 – The AI-Powered Reporting Experience 07:36 – Seamless Adoption Across Teams 09:45 – Defining Success & ROI 12:41 – Turning Time Savings into Business Impact 14:11 – Supporting Members Through AI Leadership 15:36 – Governance, Security & AI Readiness 16:50 – What Happens Next (Roadmap & Rollout)

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