Counting the Numbers Sarah Bailey

In this podcast I am joined by Andrew Hore - CEO of The Auckland Blues. I’ve always been interested in sport, especially high-performance sport and how we can translate this across to the business world.

We covered the following -


Mental health – especially with the impact from social media and the work The Blues are doing particularly with the younger players.
How taking advantage of opportunities where you have the room to learn and improve, not waiting for it to come to you in a processed environment can help you grow.
Grit – what can this really mean, when (and it happens to the best of us!)motivation drops? Remaining consistent and curious! Aiming to be good at only certain aspects, not everything, rugby players just like individuals in a workplace cannot be great at everything. Pick your quality and become consistency good at improving it while maintaining being curious on how you can do this.
Looking at levels of accountability and tying it in with vulnerability. Creating an environment where you can have tough challenging conversations.

Thanks so much joining me Andrew, plenty more to talk about next time!

In this podcast I am joined by Ritu Saxena – Financial Reporting Manager at Electric Kiwi. I came to know Ritu through Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand, as Ritu is a committee member of the Emerging Leaders group.

Ritu moved to New Zealand from India 2016, while she continued to work for EY, Ritu did have to apply for the position in which she was successful, and the rest is well here in NZ!

We covered a number of things, in particular –


Ritu’s career journey - moving from investment banking to EY India to EY NZ, why it has been rewarding yet “not glamorous” at times!
Why working in amongst smaller teams here in NZ can help accelerate your career, if you make the most of it! We forget Managers and CFO’s aren’t often on the floor with you overseas and in larger environment! So, make the most of it, ask questions, listen and learn.
How volunteering can help give back in your industry
Ritu’s advice for young CA’s and finance professionals … be curious, network and plenty more!


This was such an interesting and varied chat;  I hope you enjoy.

In this podcast, in conjunction with our campaign for Voices of Hope I am joined by Registered Dietitian Sarah Percy from Tea and Health Wellbeing, we talked about how food choices can affect your mood.

What I loved about our chat was that it wasn’t all about giving your diet an overall, or a fad diet … alternatively just being more aware about how making the best food choices available to you may benefit your mood at work …and with repetition how you will see the longer term benefits on your mood as well!

Sarah shared research from Deakin University and their SMILES (Supporting the Modification of lifestyle in Lowered Emotional States) trial. Which investigated if one improves their diet, will my mood improve?

Great quick hacks to improve your food and your mood –


Plan ahead .. what are you going to eat on your busy working day/week, and how can you plan and prepare rather than leaving it to chance!
Get as much variety in your food (especially plant foods) to help your gut health
Make small changes – don’t over think it  - enjoy what you eat!

Sarah Percy (and her business partner Clinical Psychologist, Sarah Donaldson) have worked with many workplaces, organisations and individuals, and imparted valuable tools that have enabled staff and individuals to perform better, increase resilience and better understand how to stay well. 

COUNTING THE NUMBERS / S2 E2- Kieran Nally, General Manager - Aqualine Products - CFO's working with General Managers, Boards and SLT's

In this podcast I am joined by Kieran Nally, we talked about what's important from a GM's perspective for a CFO when joining a new business.

We discussed -
1. How applying your skills, combined with your awareness early on is critical
2. Coming into an existing strategy and how important the contribution you can bring will be to enhance it
3. Ability to manage down and also upwards into the governance platform


Applying your skills and awareness to an existing strategy is often where the magic is seen in a CFO!


Thank you for joining me Kieran, great straight forward sound advice for aspiring and current CFO's!

COUNTING THE NUMBERS / S2 E1- Odette Rielly, Property Finance Manager - City Care - “Always be open to change”

In my first podcast for 2021 I am joined by Odette Rielly. We talked about managing a diverse team through change.

We discussed -

1. Understanding your teams different drivers, what works well for one team member is not the same for all!

2. How being present with your team is so important

3. Transformational change and creating an environment where people are accountable for results

Thank you Odette for joining me, we could have chatted for ages! I totally agree with you … “every day is a school day!” I really enjoyed it and I look forward to our robotics podcast one day too 😊

In this episode I am joined my Matthew Clews, we talked about his move from Finance Director to Interim GM at Redbull.

We discussed  -

1.           Establishing yourself credibly; getting everyone aligned on the same path

2.           Transitioning from routine responsibilities to being supportive on a wider level

3.           What the hardest part to give up as a senior finance person moving into a GM capacity was



It is certainly a path a lot of people like you ponder about undertaking; so thank you for sharing some great insights Matthew!