The Real Solutions Business Podcast

Hosted by Godfreys Law

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Episodes

115

Latest episode

Nov 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

November 5, 2026Episode 11545 min

115. Modern Leadership

In this episode I am joined by Oswald (Ozzie) Mungwazi Jnr. Oz joins me to talk about what he does via his business Modern Leadership ( www.modernleadership.co.nz ). Ozzie talks with me about his approach to modern leadership training via his systems-based Leadership Strategy Programme (The L.E.A.D. System) which is designed for owners of SME businesses with 5-30 team members and revenue between $1 to $10 million. This course helps redesign how accountability, standards, and ownership work inside your business. There are no complicated scientific personality tests or 200-page workbooks involved with the L.E.A.D. System. Ozzie talks with me about the power of leaders building/redesigning their business so that it runs on systems not you! This one is for all business owners who have built a business that cannot be run without them where every decision comes back to you, every mistake waits for you to fix it and the only way to get work done properly is if you do it yourself! If this is sounding familiar, then help is at hand because Ozzie shows how this is not a people problem but rather a Leadership Design Problem that can be fixed from the root up. We wrap this podcast up one up with Ozzie talking about the ‘Synergy Networking’ community ( www.synergynetworking.co.nz ) for driven professionals in Christchurch. If you are interested in learning about a space for leaders where you are seen beyond your title, supported in your challenges, and sharpened by meaningful connection then the outro to this podcast represents a nice wee ‘Easter-Egg’ of value add. Leadership can be tough and lonely, but you do not have to go it alone.

October 15, 2026Episode 11428 min

114. Is AI quietly deciding which NZ businesses get chosen by customers?

In this episode I am joined by Elise Balsillie who is the head of Thryv Australia and New Zealand. Elise is a returning guest on the podcast having previously appeared in Episode #95 where we did a doubleheader exploring the ways technology can help small businesses in NZ thrive. This time around Elise is back to talk to me about small businesses and how AI is choosing what businesses get referred to by AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation). AEO and GEO are the practices of formatting online content so that AI tools, voice assistants and search engines use it as a direct answer to enquiries posed by customers. Unlike traditional search engine optimization (SEO), which aims to rank web page links on a page, AEO and GEO aim to get your brand or information cited directly inside an AI generated response. And, up to 60% of your customers in NZ are now searching for businesses using these methods and trusting the answers they provide them. This is not to say that SEO is dead, but that (unsurprisingly) AI is rapidly changing the landscape on how your customers and potential customers are finding and selecting businesses that they buy products and services from. Staying visible and relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape is key for all businesses no matter their size. This one is necessary listening if you want to stay ahead of the pack. If you are interested in finding out more about this and how Thyrv can help your business succeed, then you can check out their products and resources at https://www.thryv.co.nz

September 24, 2026Episode 11342 min

113. How to make your next Corporate Event sparkle

I am joined in this episode by Laura Willan from Wine Divine. Wine Divine is a passionate family-owned business based in Canterbury, dedicated to curating unforgettable wine and bar experiences. Laura has over a decade of expertise in the liquor and hospitality industry and brings a refined touch to every celebration whether it is a wedding, private party, or corporate event. Laura talks with me about the genesis of the business idea that led to the creation of Wine Divine with initial startup capital of just $250.00. We then talk through why Laura does what she does before getting in depth on the various offerings that Wine Divine provides to its clientele across multiple event types. Given this is a podcast for business owners we take some time to talk over the corporate events that Laura hosts and how they can help take your event form ordinary to extraordinary. Having engaged Laura and her team’s service across both personal and business events I can vouch first hand at the professionalism and amazing service that Wine Divine brings to any event to make it sparkle. We are all about supporting local here on the Real Solutions Business Podcast so, if your next event could do with something special then get in contact with Laura to discuss how she can help elevate the experience. You can find more here: www.winedivine.co.nz

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.