The Real Solutions Business Podcast

Hosted by Godfreys Law

Business

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Episodes

111

Latest episode

Jul 2026

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About the show

Real People, Real Solutions. You'll hear local business leaders from Christchurch and around New Zealand share their expertise on how to succeed and make your company stand out.

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60 recent

September 3, 2026Episode 11147 min

112. Your Organisation’s Negotiation Standards

In this episode Noa Sheer from Sheer Negotiations joins me to talk about your Organisation’s negotiation standards. Noa is a negotiation expert and scholar. She is a lecturer at the University of Auckland, New Zealand; The University of New South Wales, Australia, and the adjunct faculty at the Australian Graduate School of Management; teaching Masters, MBA and Executive Education courses in negotiation. She is also a researcher in the field of negotiation theory and the co-author of the book Effective Negotiation: from Research to Results (4th ed.), published by Cambridge University Press. By combining cutting-edge research with real-world expertise, Noa helps leaders and teams succeed in the art of negotiation and deliver impactful revenue and culture shifts into their organisations. Noa talks with me about how your team members might (or might not) be effectively negotiating on behalf of your business whether that be with clients or suppliers. We also discuss the three negotiation styles and what is the best (but hardest) one to deploy. This is a fascinating and under-appreciated set of core skills for NZ businesses. Recommended listening! You can find out more about Noa and how she can help your organisation via www.sheernegotiations.com

July 30, 2026Episode 11129 min

111. A journey of self-discovery: starting a business from scratch in a new country

Chloe joins me to share her story of moving to New Zealand, arriving with little more than a backpack, and then unexpectedly finding herself stuck here during COVID. What started as a difficult and uncertain chapter became the beginning of a much bigger journey, building a life, backing herself, and eventually growing a business here in Christchurch. We talk about what it is like starting a business in New Zealand as an immigrant, the challenges of building trust in a new country, and the mindset needed to keep going when you are starting with very little. Chloe also shares some of the lessons she has learned from growing OCD Cleaning Group, working with clients across, offices, gyms, homes and new builds, and building a business that relies heavily on service, standards and relationships. Chloe has a practical and honest story. There is a lot in this one for anyone thinking about starting a business, especially those who are trying to build something from scratch in a new environment. A great conversation about resilience, opportunity, and making the most of what is in front of you.

July 9, 2026Episode 11045 min

110. How important is the right AI strategy for your business?

Richard works with business owners and leaders to help them make better, more strategic decisions about AI. Through Arcaina, he helps businesses move from an initial exploration through to clear, practical and board-ready AI roadmaps. Richard joins me to talk about AI for business, and why the right AI strategy matters. We discuss the temptation many business owners are facing now: to try every new AI tool, automate everything, and move quickly simply because the technology is available. While that excitement is understandable, Richard explains why a smarter approach starts with the business itself, not the technology. We talk about how businesses can identify their existing issues, bottlenecks, and pain points, and then consider how AI could help solve those problems in a practical and commercially useful way. Rather than throwing AI at every part of a business and hoping it works, Richard’s approach is about asking better questions first, understanding what is needed, and making sure the strategy is clear before the tools are introduced. This is an important conversation for any business owner who knows AI is important but is not sure where to start. If you want to understand how AI can support your business in a focused, practical, and sustainable way, this episode is well worth a listen.

June 18, 2026Episode 10942 min

109. The power of giving back for business

In this episode I am joined by Mitch Shaw from Upstream. Mitch is the Managing Director and Co-founder of Upstream, a charitable organisation that connects businesses and charities in a way that turns everyday spending into real support for young people across New Zealand. Mitch joins me to talk about the story behind Upstream, how it works, and why it exists. We discuss his own background, including how youth work played an important role in his life when he was younger, and how those experiences helped shape the work he does today. Mitch has seen first-hand the difference that good support, good people and the right opportunities can make for young people. Upstream was created as a smarter and more sustainable way to fund youth-focused work. Rather than relying only on donations or grants, the model allows businesses to use suppliers within the Upstream network, with a portion of those everyday transactions going back to support charity partners. In simple terms, businesses can keep spending money on the things they already need, while also helping generate funding for young people in the community. We also talk about how businesses can get involved, why purpose-driven business is becoming more important, and how small decisions in a supply chain can create a much bigger impact over time. Mitch brings a grounded and genuine perspective to this conversation. If you are a business owner who wants to understand how your business can do good in a practical and sustainable way, this one is well worth a listen.

May 28, 2026Episode 10836 min

108. Operational Noise - what is it and how to quieten it down for increased customer satisfaction

I am joined by Nabilah Chivelkar from Thryv Australia and New Zealand. Nabilah is a Senior Sales Effectiveness Coach and works with small businesses to improve how they operate, communicate, and ultimately deliver for their customers. Nabilah joins me to talk about what she describes as “operational noise” the day-to-day inefficiencies, systems, and processes that quietly erode time, energy, and customer experience. We explore how this shows up in real businesses and the impact it can have on trust, momentum, and growth. We also discuss the growing gap between what businesses think they are delivering and what customers are actually experiencing, and the increasing level of “invisible work” customers now expect, from fast responses through to seamless communication. Nabilah shares practical insights on where business owners should focus their time and energy, how simplifying operations can actually unlock growth, and what small changes can make the biggest difference. This is a really valuable conversation for any business owner feeling stretched or looking to improve how their business runs behind the scenes. I really enjoyed this one.

May 7, 2026Episode 10744 min

107. How AI recommends your business and what you can do to prepare for this shift

In this episode I am joined by Chris Van Langenberg from Thryv Australia and New Zealand. Chris is a Senior Sales Capability Coach and works closely with small businesses across the region, helping them better understand how they are found and chosen in an increasingly digital world. Chris joins me to talk about how AI is changing the way customers discover businesses, and what that means for small business owners. We unpack the shift from traditional search to AI-driven recommendations, and the signals that now matter, from reviews and responsiveness through to consistency across platforms. Chris shares practical insights into the common mistakes businesses are making when it comes to their online presence, and more importantly, what they can do right now to improve their visibility. We also look ahead at where this is all heading and what “being found” might look like in an AI-first world. There is a lot in this one for business owners who want to stay relevant and competitive as the landscape continues to shift. Chris brings a clear, practical lens to what can otherwise feel like a complex topic. Definitely worth a listen!

April 16, 2026Episode 10641 min

106. Straight from the Heartland – how do you reverse a mortgage?

In this episode I speak to Ben Jamieson from Heartland Bank. Ben is a Business Development Manager at Heartland Bank, and he looks after the area from Canterbury to Southland and everywhere in between. Ben joins me to talk about reverse mortgages and how they might benefit folks (and business owners!) in their 60s and beyond. Ben also touches upon some other niche products that Heartland Bank can offer to people in Business such as motor vehicle lending, plant and equipment loans and livestock lending. Ben has decades of experience in the banking industry and has been involved with reverse mortgages for many years. It is fair to say he knows the product inside out and shares a multitude of ways that this product can help free up equity for people to do the things that matter or are needed. Ben’s passion for helping people is clear and he shares some neat insights and stories that ground this in reality. This is general information about Heartland Bank Reverse Mortgages and not individual financial advice. Heartland Bank Limited’s responsible lending criteria, fees and charges apply. If you have ever wondered about reverse mortgages or what Heartland Bank does, then give this one a listen.

March 26, 2026Episode 10547 min

105. Bespoke Wealth with Tom McBride

In this episode Tom McBride from McBride Wealth joins me to talk about all things investing. Tom started his own business in 2024 after accumulating over 10 years’ experience providing financial advice in a NZ firm. Tom created McBride Wealth to service a need in the community for independent investment advice and bespoke financial advice for one-off engagements. Tom was born and raised in Christchurch and obtained a Commerce degree from Canterbury University in Finance, Accounting and Information Systems. He has also obtained a NZX Diploma and NZX Adviser qualification. Previously he has contributed his know to media discussions, having appeared live on CNBC and offered market insights to publications such as the National Business Review (NBR), Business Desk and The Press. With over 10 years helping client’s navigate market fluctuations Tom is well equipped to help business owners achieve their financial goals. Tom talks with me about investment fundamentals, time in market versus timing the market, Kiwisaver, lifestyle creep, future selves, retirement goals and much more! There is so much in this one to digest. You can find out more about Tom and his services via his website www.mcbridewealth.co.nz

March 5, 2026Episode 10439 min

104. How can you attract the best and brightest to work in your business?

I am joined on this podcast with Ronnie Cheung from the Talent Connection. Ronnie is a Recruitment Consultant and a Career Coach who helps New Zealand businesses find the best person for the job. Ronnie has over 12 years’ experience across a broad variety of industries, as well as experience in providing human resources support. Ronnie talks with me about how SME owners/leaders in New Zealand can attract the best talent for job openings within their organisations. All business owners know that attracting top talent has always been a crucial part of business success but in today’s market it has never been more important. Ronnie chats with me about how a strong employer brand can set you apart from your competition and help your organisation secure the best and brightest candidates. Ronnie talks about defining an Employer Value Proposition (EVP), the importance of showing your workplace culture, as well as professional development pathways and ensuring you have a strong online presence. We also dive into the actual process and some of the behind the scenes work that goes on when advertising a new role, screening candidates, the interview process, reference checks, psychometric testing and more! I recommend this one as a must listen for all SMEs who need people in their business. We all know the immense cost (financially and psychologically) of a ‘bad hire’ but Ronnie gives golden insights into how to avoid this in your business moving forward. You can learn more at www.talentconnection.co.nz

February 12, 2026Episode 10342 min

103. The Client Experience: do your clients footprints point towards your business or are they leaving hasty tracks out the door?

In this episode Debbie Klintworth from the Footprint Collective joins me. Debbie has over 25 years of international experience working across Australia, NZ, Europe, the UAE, South Africa and the US, partnering with bold start-ups, corporates, and global brands to turn strategy into action and engagement into measurable growth. Debbie blends marketing strategy, business development and company culture design helping businesses thrive from the inside out, aligning internal teams and values with external customer experience to help drive meaningful, lasting impact. Debbie is one talented lady and we could have talked on any number of the strings to her bow but we hone in on how businesses can look to refine their customer strategy and build a better client experience that will have your customers coming back time and time again. Debbie shares insights we me about how businesses can create solutions that connect your teams, resonate with your customers and ultimately help to strengthen your market position. How good! I really enjoyed talking with Debbie and learning valuable new insights into how SMEs can help differentiate themselves in this space. What are you waiting for?