B2B Inspired

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What’s really happening in the New Zealand sales landscape right now? In this episode, we sit down with Mike Stokes, CEO and founder of Indicator, to unpack the latest insights from his research into sales leaders across New Zealand and Australia. Mike shares what the data is revealing about growth, performance, and the challenges businesses are facing in a tougher economic environment.
We explore why the past year has been one of the most difficult in nearly a decade, what’s driving longer sales cycles and increased competition, and why price has emerged as a critical factor in winning and losing deals. Mike also dives into the impact of reduced investment in sales, marketing, and technology, alongside the growing use of AI and what it is (and isn’t) delivering for sales teams. Whether you're in sales, marketing, or leadership, this conversation offers practical insights to help you adapt, stay competitive, and navigate an uncertain year ahead.
For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nz

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blueocean-agency/ 
Website: https://www.blueoceanagency.co.nz/podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeDoB2B

Let’s roll up our sleeves and take on tomorrow together.

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As businesses move through Q4 and look ahead to 2026, many teams are asking the same question. Should we slow down or should we be gearing up for the year ahead? In this episode of B2B Inspired, Dale Kenny and Freyja Slavin unpack one of the most important topics in B2B marketing right now. How to use the December and January period to create strategic clarity, build momentum and set your marketing function up for a stronger financial year.
Dale and Freyja explore the misconceptions around the New Zealand summer slowdown, why customer insight matters more than ever during this period, and how teams can remove friction and add value when clients are feeling stretched. They discuss the role of AI inside marketing teams, the mindset shifts required for better planning, and what opportunities they believe will shape 2026. This is a candid, practical conversation designed to help marketers think ahead with confidence and operate with intention
For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nz

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When you subscribe to B2B Inspired, you're playing a key role in growing and supporting New Zealand's B2B Marketing Community.

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Got something to say? We're all ears. Your voice is what powers this community – it can't grow without you. 

Connect with Us
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blueocean-agency/ 
Website: https://www.blueoceanagency.co.nz/podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeDoB2B

Let’s roll up our sleeves and take on tomorrow together.

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How do you build meaningful B2B experiences in a world where technology is accelerating faster than ever? In this episode of B2B Inspired, we sit down with Nicola O’Rourke, a commercial leader and NZTE Beachhead Advisor with a career spanning some of the most recognisable food and beverage brands in New Zealand and abroad.
Nicola shares practical insights on the evolving expectations of B2B customers, why trust and empathy are becoming strategic differentiators, and how the lines between B2B and B2C are rapidly blurring. She unpacks the importance of human-centred design, authentic brand experiences, sales and marketing alignment, and the role of AI in reshaping how companies create value. Nicola also provides a behind-the-scenes look at the conversations taking place in boardrooms right now, and what New Zealand businesses must prepare for as they scale into 2026 and beyond.
For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nz

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When you subscribe to B2B Inspired, you're playing a key role in growing and supporting New Zealand's B2B Marketing Community.

Share Your Feedback
Got something to say? We're all ears. Your voice is what powers this community – it can't grow without you. 

Connect with Us
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blueocean-agency/ 
Website: https://www.blueoceanagency.co.nz/podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeDoB2B

Let’s roll up our sleeves and take on tomorrow together.

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How do you build a purpose-led brand that resonates deeply with your niche, and still scales internationally? In this episode of B2B Inspired, we speak with Hugh Thomas, Brand Manager at Kids Ride Shotgun, a New Zealand company raising the next generation of mountain bikers across the USA, Europe and Asia.
Hugh shares how clearly defining purpose has shaped every part of their brand playbook, from product roadmap decisions to choosing distributors, and how deep customer understanding led to their hit “Dirt Hero” campaign. As Brand Manager, Hugh wears many hats, and gives insights into brand building in international markets, the importance of getting out the office to understand stories, and building a career in an industry he loves.
For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nz

Subscribe
When you subscribe to B2B Inspired, you're playing a key role in growing and supporting New Zealand's B2B Marketing Community.

Share Your Feedback
Got something to say? We're all ears. Your voice is what powers this community – it can't grow without you. 

Connect with Us
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blueocean-agency/ 
Website: https://www.blueoceanagency.co.nz/podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeDoB2B

Let’s roll up our sleeves and take on tomorrow together.

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What does marketing effectiveness really mean—and why does it matter? In the latest episode of B2B Inspired, we speak with Carolyn Schofield, Founder of Food Marketing NZ and Brand Science NZ, about what makes marketing work.
Carolyn challenges the obsession with short-term results and explains why the most powerful marketing happens over time. She shares how emotional storytelling builds brand equity, and why marketers need to be more strategic about what they measure.
From shifting internal perceptions of marketing to leading change with evidence, Carolyn offers clear, practical insights for marketers under pressure to prove value and drive growth.
For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nz

Subscribe
When you subscribe to B2B Inspired, you're playing a key role in growing and supporting New Zealand's B2B Marketing Community.

Share Your Feedback
Got something to say? We're all ears. Your voice is what powers this community – it can't grow without you. 

Connect with Us
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blueocean-agency/ 
Website: https://www.blueoceanagency.co.nz/podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeDoB2B

Let’s roll up our sleeves and take on tomorrow together.