Making Work Better

Denise Quinlan
Making Work Better

‘It’s time to stop fracking human resources’, said a frustrated Dr Denise Quinlan in late 2023. Tired of the burnout and lack of hope all around, she set out to find the workplaces #makingworkbetter for their people AND succeeding in business. This podcast shares the stories of these organisations, spanning sectors, size and ownership structure. Learn more about the five keys to progress Denise found: - Driving workplace transformation with listening, transparency, and co-design - Building a culture of care and support - Finding new ways of working for a future-fit workplace - Fostering purpose and belonging to enhance wellbeing and engagement - Growing future-fit leadership with empowerment, connection & collaboration. Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 Follow Dr Denise Quinlan: @drdenisequinlan Learn more about her work: https://nziwr.co.nz/keynotes #makingworkbetter #futureofwork #humansustainability

  1. 29 APR

    Making Work Better - 09 - Making work better: Tikanga in action

    In this episode of Making Work Better, Denise Quinlan speaks with Dan Te Whenua Walker, Māori tech leader and Global Co-Chair of Microsoft’s Indigenous Employee Resource Group. Dan shares how tikanga Māori isn’t just cultural heritage - it’s a living, practical guide for building workplaces that truly care. From his Master’s in Māori and Indigenous Leadership came Te Rau o te Huia, a whānau AI named after his beloved grandmother. Through stories of leadership, connection, and embedding manaaki into corporate culture, Dan reminds us: that connection, purpose, and care aren’t extras they’re essential. As Dan says, “This is tikanga in action.” Links: Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz

    54 min

  2. 22 APR

    Making Work Better - 08 - Beca: Simplification and sustainability

    In this episode of Making Work Better, Denise Quinlan talks with Kristy Matthews, Group Head of Talent and Inclusion, and Chloe Stewart-Tyson, Group Manager of Health, Safety, Environment and Wellbeing from Beca, about how the global employee-owned engineering consultancy is redesigning work for people, performance, and purpose. They discuss hybrid working, talent attraction and retention, and simplifying systems to reduce overload. From graduate onboarding to wellbeing programmes and affinity networks, Beca is making changes that stick - not through top-down mandates, but through grassroots momentum and shared ownership. If you’re looking for practical ways to future-proof your culture, this episode is full of real-world inspiration. Links: Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz

    34 min

  3. 15 APR

    Making Work Better - Replay - Kiwibank: Performance through purpose and belonging

    Enjoy this replay of Making Work Better - Host Dr. Denise Quinlan sits down with Charlotte Ward, Kiwibank’s Chief People Officer, to explore how clear purpose, trust, and continuous listening are reshaping the future of work. Discover how Kiwibank is redefining hybrid work by finding the “flex within the flex,” where meeting innovations, dynamic wellbeing leave, and intentional leadership create an environment where everyone thrives. Charlotte shares how a culture built on belonging and purpose drives real results and Denise, the perennial independent, finds herself wishing she worked for Kiwibank. Links - Free copy of Making Work Better Report: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 - Kiwibank’s culture: https://www.kiwibank.co.nz/about-us/careers/life-at-kiwibank/culture/ - Fixing the Overload Problem at Work, Kelly & Moen: https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/fixing-the-overload-problem-at-work/ Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz/ Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz

    56 min

  4. 8 APR

    Making Work Better - 07 - Rāroa: Systems that support people

    In this episode of Making Work Better, Denise Quinlan speaks with Stephen Eames Tumuaki/Principal and Matt Boucher Tumuaki Tuarua/Deputy Principal from Rāroa Intermediate about reimagining wellbeing in education. They share how Rāroa has embedded systemic support for student and teacher wellbeing, developed a clear pastoral care framework, and fostered a culture where no one is a single point of failure. From reducing burnout to boosting staff retention and building collective capacity, this episode is full of ideas that challenge how we define care, leadership, and what schools can be. Links: Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 Rāroa School: https://www.raroa.school.nz/ Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz

    56 min

  5. 1 APR

    Making Work Better - 06 - Spark: Weaving wellbeing into culture

    In this episode of Making Work Better, Denise Quinlan is joined by Sarah Stack, People & Culture Lead at Spark, NZ’s largest telco and digital services provider. Together, they unpack how Spark co-designed a culture of care with staff – embedding wellbeing, connection, and inclusion into everyday work culture. Sarah shares how listening to staff, training in-house wellbeing coaches, and leaders sharing personal stories have helped Spark reduce stigma around mental health, introduce new supports, and improve wellbeing and engagement across its 5,000-person workforce. If you’re looking to make wellbeing part of your strategy — not just your comms — this conversation is full of practical insight and inspiration. Links • Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 • Spark’s wellbeing journey: https://businessgroup.spark.co.nz/insight-engine/finding-our-way-to-wellbeing-in-the-workplace Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz

    47 min

  6. 25 MAR

    Making Work Better - 05 - Scafit: The power of people first

    What does it take to build a business for good? Denise sits down with Nicki and David Crowley, the passionate leaders behind Scafit, a company proving that care, values, and leadership can transform a business from the inside out. Scafit has built a thriving, people-first culture where wellbeing, leadership development, and genuine care drive both engagement and productivity. Nicki and David share how they’ve embedded support systems—from all-day breakfasts to mental health resources and life and health insurance - and how a culture of trust and responsibility has doubled productivity in a flat-pricing industry. Listen to the inspiring journey of the world’s first B Corp-certified scaffolding company, and take away fresh ideas for making work better in your own organisation! Links - Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 - Scafit: https://www.scafit.co.nz/ Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz

    58 min

  7. 18 MAR

    Making Work Better - 04 - Mercury: Work empowered through listening, purpose, autonomy

    Join Denise in conversation with Brooke Stringer, People Development Manager from Mercury, an organisation proving that purpose, autonomy, and trust are keys to a thriving workplace. Mercury has embraced adaptive ways of working, where employees are given ownership to make decisions, leadership is transparent, and people are empowered to perform at their best. Brooke shares how Mercury has built a responsive and capable culture through listening, transparency, and a strong shared purpose. Listen to how Mercury’s clarity around what’s “fit for now” helps get work done and fights perfectionism. So many ideas here for you to make work better in your own organisation! Links: Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 Mercury: https://www.mercury.co.nz Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz/ Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz

    39 min

  8. 11 MAR

    Making Work Better - 03 - Paperkite: transparency, trust, and team - Rob Holmes

    Join Denise in conversation with another organisation that is making work better for people and performance. Today, it’s Rob Holmes, Discovery Director at Paperkite, Wellington-based, digital design agency that is proud to say “We put people first”. Talking to Rob is like trying to catch a tiger by the tail. He moves fast and covers so much great territory - recruitment, sales and client relationships, co-leadership, flexible working, professional and personal staff development, building a deliberate values-based culture. Hang on, enjoy learning what makes Paperkite a fantastic place to work, and make a list of things you want to start doing in your workplace! Links Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 Paperkite: https://paperkite.co.nz/ Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz/ Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz

    52 min
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About

‘It’s time to stop fracking human resources’, said a frustrated Dr Denise Quinlan in late 2023. Tired of the burnout and lack of hope all around, she set out to find the workplaces #makingworkbetter for their people AND succeeding in business. This podcast shares the stories of these organisations, spanning sectors, size and ownership structure. Learn more about the five keys to progress Denise found: - Driving workplace transformation with listening, transparency, and co-design - Building a culture of care and support - Finding new ways of working for a future-fit workplace - Fostering purpose and belonging to enhance wellbeing and engagement - Growing future-fit leadership with empowerment, connection & collaboration. Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 Follow Dr Denise Quinlan: @drdenisequinlan Learn more about her work: https://nziwr.co.nz/keynotes #makingworkbetter #futureofwork #humansustainability

Information

  • Creator
    Denise Quinlan
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C)Otago Access Radio
  • Show Website
    Making Work Better

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