A successful career in asset management requires going beyond your technical skill base to develop business acumen and street-savvy that will take you to the next level.

Enter Dr. Monique Beedles is an internationally recognized thought leader in asset management and best-selling author of several books including Asset Management for Directors. She works with individuals, teams, and companies all over the globe to help them become leaders in asset management. With a Ph.D. in Strategy, a Masters of Finance, and twenty years of board experience, Monique amassed the technical skill and business savvy to guide others on a transformative journey of growth. 

In September 2021, she published a new book 'Leadership Assets: empower your career from the workshop to the boardroom, and pinpoints the smarts you need to succeed in your asset management career. Drawing on more than twenty years of experience as a board director and advisor to senior leaders, Monique has written Leadership Assets especially for asset managers who want to realize their leadership potential, and for leaders who want to empower their teams.

In this podcast, Monique will share:

1. What does an asset manager do?
2. What are the top 3 leadership assets you believe people need to succeed and why?
3. What has changed the most in the past two decades you've worked as a board director and advisor for senior leaders? Is about tech or priorities such as ESG that have had an impact or something else? Explain.
4. What mistakes are the most common for those who want a career in asset management and how can they be avoided?
5. Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Assets?

To contact Monique:

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/moniquebeedles

W: https://www.moniquebeedles.com/

Mentoring has been a critical part of many successful people's career story. Sometimes it's done formally and for an exchange of money, but often it is about a more seasoned leader meeting regularly with a less seasoned human and imparting ideas, knowledge, and even empowerment.

I am chatting today to James Sewell, the founder of MentorConnex, a service that connects entrepreneurs and business owners searching for success, with battle-hardened mentors who know how to get it.

James spent the early part of his career in the insurance market, as a Lloyd's of London broker, until he convinced his then girlfriend, Jenny, to join him on a 9-month trip to Australia as a maternity leave replacement. Fast forward 13 years, two weddings and two kids later, and James and Jenny now call Australia home. After breakfast with his brother-in-law one morning, James decided it was time to trade in a great salary, comfy office, and long-lunches on expenses, for a life of hauling junk in bright pink trucks.  And a few months later he (and his brother-in-law) launched PINK JUNK. Whilst the business was not the success James dreamed of, it was a brilliant introduction into the world of business ownership and an incredible experience.

Although the challenges James faced when building PINK JUNK led to it being conceptualized, it wasn't until a flight back from a visit to the UK when James' sister laid down the gauntlet with the words "if you don't do it, I will", that James finally committed to stepping way outside his comfort zone, and starting MentorConnex. Beyond family and surfing poorly, James thrives on helping other business owners have more success, by making it easier than ever to access 1-2-1 advice and guidance, from authentic experts, who've trodden the path before them.

Hear from James on:

1. What does a mentor do for someone and how do you know if you've met the right mentor to help you in your career or business?
2. How is different from a business coach experience?
3. How did MentorConnex start and what makes its service different from others that existed prior?
4. How do you know when it's time to break up or move on from your mentor?
5. Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Mentoring?

To find out more about James Sewell:

LinkedIn: (12) James Sewell | LinkedIn

Website: https://mentorconnex.com/

I have to admit, I am a sucker for buying merchandise or 'merch' as we colloquially say in the land Down Under. Whether it be signed books by authors at their book launch or tea towels from a boutique vineyard on a regional holiday I am handing over that plastic card with joy!

Last year, according to  Intelligence Insider, the pandemic fueled rapid acceleration of online buying in several countries that were somewhat lagging-and some of those will continue to see major expansion in 2021. India, Brazil, Russia, and Argentina are all projected to post at least 26% growth in retail e-commerce sales this year. As in 2020, the Asia-Pacific - where Australia is - and North America will lead the regional rankings for retail e-commerce sales this year. China's size population means that the Asia-Pacific will account for 60.8% of retail e-commerce sales worldwide in 2021. North America will claim a 20.3% share, and Western Europe 12.6%.

My guest today Gwen Blake has managed branding & design projects for some of Australia's best-known brands. She is an expert in branding and design and has a passion for product sales and entrepreneurism.

Today, she is managing director of award-winning Sydney-based branding and packaging design agency, Boxer & co., and the author of a book on packaging design, Packaging a Punch.

Gwen orchestrated the branding behind dynamic serious journalists turned podcaster duo Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales' successful podcast Chat 10 Looks 3. If you listen to the podcast, like me, it is peppered with shout-outs to Gwen! She consults with them to develop and manage their merch business. At the time of the Australian Federal Government leadership spill in November 2018, Gwen created a meme of a canvas bag with the words 'Ban the single-use prime minister' - that was a big moment for her business. She gained quick and widespread media interest and sold thousands of these bags from a company that she literally started overnight at her kitchen table.

In this podcast, Gwen explains:

1. In 2018, you were basically an internet sales sensation when I like many bought your 'Ban the Single Use Prime Minister' tote bags (and coffee cup) in the wake of former Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull being sacked, after many years of a rotating door of leaders. Tell us how you came up with the idea and how it generated you $50K in a short time?
2. How quickly does an idea need to turn into merchandise ready for sale to be relevant?
3. Tell us how you came up with the branding for the popular podcast Chat 10 Looks 3?
4. Is there a 'secret sauce' formula to market test before producing items en masse? Share your process!
5. Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Merchandise?

To connect with Gwen Blake:

LinkedIn: (13) Gwen Blake | LinkedIn

Website: Homepage - BOXER & CO (boxerandco.com.au)