Podcast
B2B Inspired
Hosted by BlueOcean | The B2B Agency · EN
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.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why NZ Manufacturing Needs More Roar with John Cochrane
2w ago00:50:47Tap to summarizeLet us know your thoughts.What does it take for New Zealand manufacturing to compete on the world stage? In this episode, we sit down with John Cochrane, a seasoned manufacturing leader with global experience across the US, China, and New Zealand. John shares insights from his career working in complex, high-tech manufacturing environments, offering a unique perspective on what makes New Zealand businesses capable of solving some of the world’s toughest challenges.We get into what New Zealand does well, where we tend to hold ourselves back, and why the way we show up internationally matters more than we think. From building trust and relationships through to leadership and long-term thinking, John brings a grounded view on what it really takes to grow beyond our local market. It’s a practical look at how Kiwi businesses can step up, back themselves, and compete globally.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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What Businesses Get Wrong About AI with Alan Leigh
May 400:51:20Tap to summarizeLet us know your thoughts.What does AI actually look like inside real businesses today? In this episode, we sit down with Alan Leigh, CEO of Experieco, to unpack how AI is showing up across complex organisations in New Zealand and Australia. Drawing on hands-on experience, Alan shares a perspective that cuts through the noise and challenges how many businesses are thinking about AI right now.Alan explores the gap between expectation and reality, and why many organisations aren’t seeing the outcomes they anticipated. It also touches on how the rapid evolution of AI is reshaping what’s possible, particularly for businesses looking to build, scale, and compete in new ways.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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2026 Mood of the Sales Leader with Mike Stokes
Mar 3000:47:58Tap to summarizeLet us know your thoughts.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.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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What Our Most Successful Clients Are Doing In February with Team BlueOcean
Dec 1500:39:51Tap to summarizeLet us know your thoughts.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 intentionFor 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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Designing Value That Sticks with Nicola O'Rourke
Dec 800:38:45Tap to summarizeLet us know your thoughts.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.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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Purpose First: The Brand Playbook Behind KRS with Hugh Thomas
Oct 2300:32:44Tap to summarizeLet us know your thoughts.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.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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Marketing Effectiveness with Carolyn Schofield
Oct 500:56:42Tap to summarizeLet us know your thoughts.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.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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Effective Tips On Being A Better Leader with Hayley Nelson
Aug 2800:36:37Tap to summarizeLet us know your thoughts.Curious what it really takes to lead with impact? In this episode of B2B Inspired, we speak with Hayley Nelson, Head of Marketing at Craigs Investment Partners, about the link between leadership, culture, and influence.Hayley reflects on how leadership is earned through consistent actions—not job titles—and why listening is a critical leadership skill. She shares how working with a leadership coach helped her embrace her style and gain confidence in her voice.From building culture intentionally to modelling values under pressure, Hayley offers grounded insights for leaders at every level. We also discuss how credibility is built over time, the importance of psychological safety, and how to lead with authenticity in everyday moments.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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Creating Authentic Company Values with Clare Swallow
Aug 1100:35:25Tap to summarizeLet us know your thoughts.Wondering how to create real organisational alignment? In this episode of B2B Inspired, we talk with Clare Swallow, founder of Mulberry Street, about how culture, values, and leadership work together to unite your team and drive performance.Clare shares how she helps ambitious companies surface authentic values, embed them in everyday decision-making, and connect them to purpose and vision. She explains why values should be lived, not laminated, and how to spot when they’re out of sync.From tackling team scepticism to using storytelling as a tool for alignment, Clare offers practical ideas leaders can use to create a shared understanding across the organisation. We also explore the role of leadership behaviours in shaping culture and building trust.Whether you’re leading a small team or an entire company, this episode will help you put values into action and align your people behind a common direction.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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Building Business With Purpose with David & Julie Hayes
Jul 2100:46:21Tap to summarizeLet us know your thoughts.From humble beginnings to a global brand, BeeNZ is a family-owned business redefining what’s possible in New Zealand’s honey industry. In this episode of B2B Inspired, founders David and Julie Hayes share their journey of building BeeNZ from the ground up.They talk about taking big risks, learning the export game, and balancing the pressures of running a business together. From navigating compliance and logistics to crafting a brand story that resonates internationally, their experience is packed with lessons for business owners ready to grow.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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