The Real Math of Business with Alena Bennett

Alena Bennett

Welcome to the Real Math of Business with Alena Bennett, where you plus this podcast equals better decisions. I’m Alena Bennett, speaker, author and leadership expert. I work with chief executive officers and chief financial officers really to help them create universally investable companies, where people serve people, and the math just works. Each week, I interview a new guest to get their insights on the business landscape, as well as answering a listener question, and giving you my WINATM (What I'm Noticing At The Moment) to help you win atm.

  1. 5d ago

    Athletes, Actors & Entrepreneurs: What High Performers Know About Pressure with Bernadette Schwerdt

    What is it like to be in the headspace of someone just before they kick the goal after the siren to win the game?In this episode, Bernadette Schwert shares her unique insights on high performance, the importance of managing friction, and the power of curiosity and empathy in business and life. Discover practical strategies for achieving your goals and creating meaningful connections.Bernadette is an award-winning Australian entrepreneur, author and copywriting coach. She is the founder of the Australian School of Copywriting and has helped thousands of business owners and writers create high-performing content.A former senior account director and copywriter at Young & Rubicam, she has worked on campaigns for brands including Apple, American Express, Optus and Colgate. She is a TEDx speaker and the bestselling author of How to Build an Online Business and Secrets of Online Entrepreneurs.She was also the co-author of Radek Sali’s book How to Build a Billion Dollar Business, and is a ghostwriter for many of Australia’s top CEOs and entrepreneurs. Her book, "Secrets of the New Online Entrepreneurs," is out now.Finally, you may have seen her on TV as well. Bernadette is a professional actor and has appeared in Neighbours, The Games, Round the Twist, Winners and Losers and Jack Irish. She is also a trained yoga teacher and was the inaugural in-house mindfulness coach for the Carlton Football Club.To grab your copy of SECRETS OF THE NEW ONLINE ENTREPRENEURS:https://bernadetteschwerdt.com.au/books/To Reach out to Bernadette:https://bernadetteschwerdt.com.au/au.linkedin.com/in/bernadetteschwerdthttps://www.copyschool.com/For more information on Alena and the Real Math of Business:https://www.alenabennett.com.au/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alenabennett/Chapters:00:00 Introduction to The Real Math of Business04:40 The Importance of Slowing Down06:02 Introducing Bernadette Schwerdt08:02 Bernadette's Career: From Actor to Author13:46 What Connects High Performers: Athletes and Actors19:36 Balancing Creativity/Performance with Money24:49 Working in Your Area of Passion27:10 Navigating Changes in the Market with Culture28:20 Navigating Friction30:40 Lessons From Interviewing the Ultra-Wealthy34:37 Exploring the Math:People Ratio47:00 Lower Stakes Work: Applying this Information50:12 Why Everyone Needs Copywriting Skills55:46 How Would You Like To Be Remembered?59:38 Listener Question: Staying Positive Amid Negativity

  2. Aug 10

    Why Purpose Beats Pure Profit with Jason Dunn - Ep. 38

    We are lucky to be catching Jason Dunn on the day after his big book launch in Sydney CBD Dymocks for his new book Greatness Doesn't Care.In today's episode, Jason chats about his life, inflection points and his Real Math of Business Ratio. He also chats aboutIn his new book, Greatness Doesn't Care, he challenges one of the most common assumption in leadership: that exceptional performance is driven by talent. Instead, he argues that long-term success is built through discipline, resilience and the decisions leaders make every day, particularly when circumstances are difficult. At 62, Jason is still competing in some of the world's toughest endurance events, having completed more than 14 IRONMAN competitions and multiple ultramarathons while building several successful businesses. Drawing on lessons from both elite endurance sport and entrepreneurship, he explores what separates high performers from everyone else, why many leaders unknowingly limit themselves through fear and self-doubt, and how to build the mindset required to perform under pressure. Unlock the secrets to leadership success with Jason Dunn's insights from his book, Greatness Doesn't Care. Discover how discipline, resilience, and daily decisions shape exceptional performance.Grab your copy of Greatness Doesn't Care: https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Greatness-Doesnt-Care/Jason-Dunn/9781923186514And to reach out to Jason:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-dunn-72650227/For more information on Alena and the Real Math of Business:https://www.alenabennett.com.au/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alenabennett/Chapters00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest04:24 Jason Dunn's background and book launch experience08:04 The impact of gratitude and mindset on success11:10 Building belief and nurturing mindset16:45 Resilience as a process and the role of purpose22:01 The balance of people and math in business28:08 The true purpose of business and authentic leadership32:11 Redefining greatness and personal achievement38:12 Final lessons and reflections from Jason DunnWhat's your biggest challenge with leadership? Drop it in the comments!Subscribe for weekly insights on leadership and personal growth!#Leadership #PersonalGrowth #GreatnessDoesntCare

  3. Aug 3

    The Empowerment Paradox: Women, Men and Systemic Change with Megan Dalla-Camina - Ep. 37

    How much has thw work environment, and its expectations changed recently? And how can the change that's coming be something that works better for you and your business?In this fantastic chat with author Megan Dalla-Camina, we break down how the dirty word of "patriarchy" may be controlling a lot more than we think (even for men).Megan Dalla-Camina is the Founder and CEO of Women Rising, an award-winning leadership company that has supported thousands of women and male allies across 76 countries to build meaningful careers, grow their leadership and create lasting impact. Following an 18-year executive career with IBM, GE and PwC, Megan founded Women Rising to help organisations develop exceptional women leaders, engage male allies and build more inclusive, high-performing workplace cultures.A sought-after keynote speaker, leadership expert and PhD researcher, Megan is the author of Women Rising, a practical guide to navigating leadership and career success with confidence, courage and authenticity. Her latest book, She Who Remembers, reflects the evolution of her work, exploring identity, purpose and what it means to lead without losing yourself. Megan's work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets globally, including Forbes, Fast Company, CNN and Psychology Today.To grab a copy of her books:https://megandallacamina.com/books/And to reach out to Megan:https://megandallacamina.com/https://www.instagram.com/megandallacamina/?hl=enhttps://womenrisingco.com/our-founder-1/For more information on Alena and the Real Math of Business:https://www.alenabennett.com.au/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alenabennett/Chapters:00:00 Thought Provoking Question: Aussie Success at Commonwealth Games04:31 Introduction to Megan Dalla-Camina and Women Rising06:15 Understanding Patriarchy and Its Impact10:08 The Empowerment Paradox Explained15:01 Shifting the Narrative: Women vs. System19:12 Awakening Women to Their Power24:24 The Role of Male Allies in Change31:58 The Collective Effort for Change33:08 Understanding the Real Math of Business34:52 People vs. Math: The Leadership Equation38:10 The Impact of AI on Business Ratios40:20 Empathy and Leadership in the Age of AI43:22 Where Are the People in the Equation?46:01 Masculine and Feminine Traits in Leadership54:27 Taking Action: Recommendations for Change01:01:57 Listener Question: Good Metrics

  4. Jul 27

    Our 1st Anniversary Special!

    Happy 1 year anniversary to the Real Math of Business with Alena Bennett.We have been talking about the Real Math of Business for over a year now, and we wanted to celebrate with some of our favourite chats.To our amazing audience and fantastic guests, thank you so much for making this show what it is. We can't wait for another year of this!Chapters: 00:00 Cruz Gamboa08:09 Edward Podolski18:17 Liz Mcmillan21:45 Kylie Paatsch28:07 Bill Withers38:38 David Fish

  5. Jul 20

    Speaking the Language of Business with Cruz Gamboa

    Do you speak the language of business?In this episode, Cruz Gamboa shares his unique perspective on the real math of business, emphasizing the importance of mindset, language, and simple frameworks like the law of constraints to drive business success. We explore how understanding profit, cash flow, and enterprise value can transform your approach to growth and leadership. Cruz explains how all of this has to do with physics, and how looking at it through that lens makes finding problems much easier.Cruz spent 25 years inside Fortune 500 finance, structured finance, capital markets, and project finance across Latin America, including closing an $800M power plant deal. He walked away from the title, the salary, and the global travel to build Ascend Growth Ventures and ScalingCFO.io, where he helps $1M–$30M founder-led companies install what he calls a Financial Operating System: one model that connects profit, cash flow, and enterprise value instead of three disconnected reports.He's also the author of the upcoming Scaling Profits: The Missing Financial Operating System for Ambitious Founders, and writes a newsletter read by 30,000+ founders and operators.To reach out to Cruz:https://cashflowbreakthrough.com/https://cruzgamboa.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/cruzgamboa/For more information on Alena and the Real Math of Business:https://www.alenabennett.com.au/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alenabennett/Chapters00:00 Thought Provoking Headline: Saunas Have New Benefits03:57 Cruz Gamboa's background in finance and transition to coaching07:08 What is the real math of business? Cruz's perspective09:55 The assembly line analogy: from lead generation to cash14:54 The role of mindset and subconscious fears in business20:02 Using physics and the law of constraints to optimize flow25:04 The importance of simplicity in business strategies29:56 Connecting profit, cash flow, and enterprise value34:59 The impact of technical knowledge versus language in finance40:10 The olive story: small changes with big impacts44:47 The three filters: profit, cash flow, enterprise value50:10 Identifying and removing constraints for growth54:59 Cruz's workshops and how to connect with him58:01 Listener Question: Impactful Moments

  6. Jul 13

    The Metrification of TV & The Future of Comedy with Brent Forrester

    Join us for an insightful conversation with Brent Forrester, Emmy-winning writer and creator of the new comedy series "Historic Freedomburg." Discover how he challenges the status quo in comedy and the creative process behind his latest project.In this episode, Brent Forrester shares his journey from traditional comedy writing to creating low-budget, original content on YouTube. We explore the challenges of creative freedom, the importance of structure in comedy, and the future of independent content creation.Check out Historic Freedomburg here:https://www.youtube.com/@UCezwtKzCnQxu48160l3x8HQ To reach out to Brent:https://www.brentforrester.com/https://www.instagram.com/forrestercomedycourse/?hl=enFor more information on Alena and the Real Math of Business:https://www.alenabennett.com.au/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alenabennett/For more information on Alena and the Real Math of Business:https://www.alenabennett.com.au/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alenabennett/Chapters00:00 Introduction to Brent Forrester's Career in Comedy00:38 Brent's New Show 'Historic Freedomburg' and Its Inspiration02:36 Challenging the Status Quo in Creative Work04:01 Success, Flourishing, and the Creative Process06:26 The Role of Structure and Imagination in Comedy09:05 The Evolution of Entertainment and Metrification12:07 Using 'Markers' for Creative Renewal15:14 The Contact High of Comedy and Filmmaking19:34 The Challenges of Short-Form Comedy and Sketches24:42 Balancing Structure and Flow in Creative Work27:54 The Magic of Actors and Imagination in Comedy30:22 Brent's Future Plans for 'Historic Freedomburg'What's your biggest challenge with creativity? Drop it in the comments!Subscribe for more engaging discussions on creativity and business!#Comedy #CreativeProcess #HistoricFreedomburg

  7. Jul 6

    Do Engagement Metrics Cause More Harm than Good in 2026? with Kylie Paatsch

    Join us for an insightful conversation with Kylie Paatsch, an executive coach and author of "The Connect Effect." Discover how to foster genuine connections in the workplace and why engagement metrics may be doing more harm than good.In this episode, Kylie shares insights on leadership, engagement, and the evolving role of data and connection in business success. Discover how to lead effectively in changing conditions and why the 'people' side of business is more crucial than ever.What's your biggest challenge with team engagement? Drop it in the comments!To grab your copy of The Connect Effect:https://kyliepaatsch.com.au/book/And to reach out to Kylie:https://kyliepaatsch.com.au/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyliepaatsch/To read Alena's Blog on surfing:https://www.alenabennett.com.au/blog/cfo-capacity-management-brilliance-daysFor more information on Alena and the Real Math of Business:https://www.alenabennett.com.au/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alenabennett/Chapters:00:00 Thought Provoking Question: Right Method, Wrong Situation?03:26 Chat with Kylie Paatsch04:31 The Importance of Employee Engagement07:32 Rethinking Engagement Metrics12:02 The Dangers of Measuring Engagement14:45 Involving Leaders in Engagement Solutions18:09 Kylie's Career Retrospective and Lessons Learned31:41 The Real Math of Business: People vs. Results34:54 The Importance of Metrics and Accountability37:28 Finding Balance in Diversity and Inclusion40:52 Psychological Safety and Honest Conversations41:57 Previous Podcasts and Changing Perspectives46:17 The Know, Show, Grow Model Explained57:10 Connection in the Age of AI01:03:50 Navigating Business Conditions01:03:51 Common C-Suite Mistakes01:09:38 Effective Leadership Communication01:09:53 RMOB Faster .mp4Subscribe for more insights on leadership and connection!#Leadership #TeamEngagement #TheConnectEffect

  8. Jun 29

    The Real Math of Comedy with Brent Forrester

    What metrics does the entertainment industry use, and how does that math affect their creativity? What is the real math of constructing a comedy?In today's episode, I am lucky enough to be joined by Brent Forrester. Brent Forrester won his first Comedy Writing Emmy at age 25 for his work on "The Ben Stiller Show."  He went on to write for "The Simpsons," helped launch "King of The Hill," and was a producer and director, as well as running the writer's room at NBC's "The Office" during its seven seasons.  He's written for "Late Night with Conan,"  HBO's "Mr. Show," and "The Larry Sanders Show," and continues to work as a Head Writer on Netflix shows like Judd Apatow's "Love" and Steve Carrell's "Space Force," along with Amazon shows like Greg Daniel's "Upload" and "People of Earth." To reach out to Brent:https://www.brentforrester.com/https://www.instagram.com/forrestercomedycourse/?hl=enFor more information on Alena and the Real Math of Business:https://www.alenabennett.com.au/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alenabennett/For more information on Alena and the Real Math of Business:https://www.alenabennett.com.au/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alenabennett/Chapters00:00 Thought Provoking Question: AI02:25 Introduction to Brent Forrester's Career04:14 The Complex Nature of Fame and Success08:54 Defining Success Beyond Fame11:05 The Role of Collaboration in Comedy14:40 Navigating Economic Anxiety as an Artist17:16 Maintaining Creative Drive Beyond Financial Pressure19:29 Positive Reinforcement in Creative Leadership22:20 The Changing Landscape of Entertainment Metrics27:03 Introduction to Backrooms and YouTube Phenomenon29:23 The Ratio of People to Math in Comedy33:06 AI vs Human Experience33:36 The Role of AI in the Arts39:27 The Creative Process: Balancing Structure and Emotion41:43 Upcoming Projects and Independence Day Themes43:30 Listener Question: Personal Insights and Life Outside Work

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About

Welcome to the Real Math of Business with Alena Bennett, where you plus this podcast equals better decisions. I’m Alena Bennett, speaker, author and leadership expert. I work with chief executive officers and chief financial officers really to help them create universally investable companies, where people serve people, and the math just works. Each week, I interview a new guest to get their insights on the business landscape, as well as answering a listener question, and giving you my WINATM (What I'm Noticing At The Moment) to help you win atm.

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