Let us know your thoughts.Going from superyachts to SaaS isn’t your typical founder story—but that’s exactly what makes this episode stand out. In this episode of B2B Inspired, Dale Koerner is joined by Hadleigh Ford, founder of SwipedOn, to explore the unexpected journey behind one of New Zealand’s B2B tech success stories.Hadleigh shares how a frustrating detail on a $100M yacht sparked the idea for SwipedOn, and how he built the product from scratch with no technical background. He unpacks the lessons learned through early failures, global growth, and two major acquisitions—while staying grounded in culture and customer simplicity. Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, this episode is full of honest insights on product-market fit, resilience, and thinking bigger than your starting niche.For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nzSubscribeWhen you subscribe to B2B Inspired, you're playing a key role in growing and supporting New Zealand's B2B Marketing Community. Share Your FeedbackGot 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/@WeDoB2BLet’s roll up our sleeves and take on tomorrow together.
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40:22
FMCG Strategy That Sells with Jayden Kilpatrick
Let us know your thoughts.Breaking into retail isn’t just about having a great product—it’s about having a strategy that delivers results. In this episode of B2B Inspired, Jayden Kilpatrick shares practical insights from his journey through New Zealand’s FMCG landscape, from supermarket floors to launching his own brand partner agency. He explains why many emerging brands struggle to scale: they focus on surface-level tactics instead of building a strategic foundation that aligns pricing, positioning, and consumer conversion.Jayden unpacks what B2B buyers in retail really care about, how shelf space is earned (and lost), and why data-driven decision-making is essential at every stage of growth. Whether you're launching a new product or refreshing an existing brand, this episode offers a clear and actionable framework for turning your value proposition into retail performance.For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nzSubscribeWhen you subscribe to B2B Inspired, you're playing a key role in growing and supporting New Zealand's B2B Marketing Community. Share Your FeedbackGot 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/@WeDoB2BLet’s roll up our sleeves and take on tomorrow together.
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31:06
Why A Plan Is Not A Strategy with PJ Morris
Let us know your thoughts.This episode of B2B Inspired explores how marketers can elevate their impact by shifting focus from tactics to true business strategy. PJ Morris, Head of Customer Experience and Marketing at Fletcher Building Concrete Division, shares how marketers can become more effective by understanding the commercial model of their business. Drawing on her extensive experience in B2B, she unpacks the idea that strategy isn't a list of activities—it's about solving real business challenges with clarity and cohesion.Throughout the conversation, PJ outlines the mindset and skills marketers need to earn a seat at the strategic table. From aligning with finance and operations to simplifying strategic thinking, the episode offers a practical look at how marketing can deliver more value across the business. It's a must-listen for leaders who want their marketing function to move beyond communication and start driving real organisational growth.For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nzSubscribeWhen you subscribe to B2B Inspired, you're playing a key role in growing and supporting New Zealand's B2B Marketing Community. Share Your FeedbackGot 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/@WeDoB2BLet’s roll up our sleeves and take on tomorrow together.
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45:12
The 2025 B2B Sales Outlook
Let us know your thoughts.What does the future of sales and marketing look like in New Zealand and beyond? Join us for an insightful conversation with Mike Stokes, the visionary founder of Indicator. Mike’s journey from small business ownership to becoming a key player in the sales industry offers a refreshing perspective on the often misunderstood field of sales. Uncover the unique challenges that New Zealanders face in a career path that many stumble into rather than choose. Through Mike's story, we challenge stereotypes and cultural perceptions, shining a light on the diverse skill set required for success in sales.Sales and marketing alignment is more crucial than ever, and our discussion delves into the shifting dynamics between these two vital functions. Discover how companies are returning to the basics, focusing on accountability and hustle, while navigating the tricky waters of lead generation and business development. Mike shares his observations on the evolving relationship between sales and marketing, particularly within SaaS companies, and the role of collaboration in bridging existing gaps. We also highlight the contrasting confidence levels in Australia versus New Zealand regarding marketing's role in lead generation.As we venture into the future, we explore the transformative impact of technology, especially AI, on sales and marketing leadership. Yet, amidst these digital advancements, the enduring importance of offline interactions and traditional marketing strategies remains clear. Mike emphasizes deliberate networking and the integration of AI tools, advocating for a harmonious blend of sales and marketing roles to drive business success. Tune in to gain valuable insights and actionable strategies to cultivate growth and success within your own sales teams.For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nzSubscribeWhen you subscribe to B2B Inspired, you're playing a key role in growing and supporting New Zealand's B2B Marketing Community. Share Your FeedbackGot 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/@WeDoB2BLet’s roll up our sleeves and take on tomorrow together.
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42:43
Freeing Smart Minds From Tedious Work with Dave Howden
Let us know your thoughts.Discover how AI is shaping the future of business in New Zealand with Dave Howden, CEO and co-founder of SupaHuman AI. In this insightful episode, Dave shares his journey from the UK to New Zealand and explains why he believes this environment is primed for AI’s transformative potential. We explore the powerful role of large language models and multimodal technology in reshaping business landscapes, highlighting why understanding an organisation’s core values and processes is crucial for AI integration. Businesses that embrace tailored AI solutions can enhance efficiency, drive growth, and stay ahead in the adoption curve.We also uncover the key inefficiencies AI can address, from knowledge retrieval to outdated systems like CRMs and ERPs. Imagine significantly reducing the time employees spend searching for information and transforming complex tasks into simple queries. With AI’s growing intelligence, businesses can streamline operations, generate synthetic customer insights, and refine their value propositions. Instead of fearing AI, now is the time to embrace its potential to solve productivity challenges and revolutionise customer interactions, ensuring long-term competitiveness in an ever-evolving technological landscape.For more B2B insights, ideas and opportunities, head to www.blueoceanagency.co.nzSubscribeWhen you subscribe to B2B Inspired, you're playing a key role in growing and supporting New Zealand's B2B Marketing Community. Share Your FeedbackGot 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/@WeDoB2BLet’s roll up our sleeves and take on tomorrow together.
B2B Inspired, the podcast by BlueOcean - The B2B Agency, is all about exploring the ins, outs, ups and downs of B2B Marketing here in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We'll uncover emerging trends and thinking while sharing inspiring real-world stories from B2B Marketers here in New Zealand. With the goal of supporting New Zealand’s B2B Marketing community in becoming one of the best and brightest anywhere in the world, let’s roll up our sleeves and take on tomorrow together.
New Zealand