OpenAI's new browser - Atlas - has been launched. And we need to understand what this potentially changes for how customers find and interact with our businesses.
In this episode, Jordan McFadyen has a look at the strategic parallels between Google's rise and OpenAI's current moves.
We're moving beyond traditional SEO and Google Ads into an era of "agentic commerce," where AI assistants make purchasing decisions for your customers.
Learn the practical steps you need to take to adapt your digital marketing strategy, build brand authority, and ensure your business is the one recommended by AI.
Chapters:
(01:20) Unveiling OpenAI's New Browser: Atlas(02:38) Google's Strategic Playbook: A Look Back(06:06) OpenAI's Path to Dominance(09:20) Implications for Marketers and Business Owners(13:13) Adapting to the AI-Driven Future
A recent MIT report found 95% of business AI projects fail to deliver any return on investment. The reason is simple: most businesses grab generic tools that look good in a demo but break under the pressure of real, complex work.
Essentially, they're trying to build on a messy foundation.
Success with AI isn't about buying the latest tool; it's about getting your house in order first.
In this episode, I'm sharing a condensed conversation with business consultant Kieran Lee, who explains why a process-first approach is the only way to join the 5% of businesses that are actually getting results.
Tune in to learn:
The critical difference between the 95% of failing AI projects and the 5% that succeed.
Why mapping your internal processes is the essential first step before you even think about AI.
How to start structuring your business data so it's ready for effective automation.
A practical framework to avoid wasting money on tech that won't deliver real value.
If you're feeling the pressure to adopt AI but want to do it smartly, this conversation provides the foundational roadmap you need.
Chapters:
01:23 The Rush to Adopt AI: Common Pitfalls01:55 Interview with Kieran Lee: Getting Your House in Order02:58 Understanding Business Processes and AI Integration06:13 The Role of Technology in Modern Consulting08:23 Automation and AI: Opportunities and Challenges11:45 Preparing for the Future: Structuring Your Business for AI
Almost 60% of Google searches now end without a single click to a website. Between AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Google's new AI Mode, the way customers find you has fundamentally changed.
This week, we're pulling back the curtain and giving you a behind-the-scenes listen to an exclusive workshop from our community, "For the Daring Growth Seekers."
In this recording, you'll get a practical plan to ensure your business gets seen in this new era of search.
We'll break down:
- Why AI cares more about what other websites say about you than what's on your own site.
- The three key factors that determine if an AI model will mention your brand.
- Actionable steps you can take this week to build your authority and start showing up in AI-powered search.
It's about building a brand that AI trusts.
Chapters:
(00:40) The Challenge of Visibility in the AI Era
(02:08) Understanding AI's Impact on Search and Visibility
(04:33) Adapting to AI: Practical Steps and Strategies
(12:49) Technical Foundations for AI Visibility
(17:34) Content Formatting and Authority Building
(22:10) Final Tips and Actionable Steps
Want to join live workshops like this one? Learn more about the "For the Daring Growth Seekers" at donebynine.com/podcast.
In this episode, Ben Annabel, founder of accounting and advisory firm Recharge Group joins us.
Recorded for the Most FM Business Hour, this interview covers the entire lifecycle of a business owner - from the initial hustle of a startup to the difficult decision to exit and the journey of starting over with a new purpose.
Ben shares the practical strategies he used to scale his first business, Evergreen Plumbing, and the personal challenges with burnout and mental health that led him to sell it. He talks openly about the importance of brand, why he's now focused on "slow growth," and how his personal experiences have shaped his new venture helping other tradies build sustainable businesses and lives. This is a must-listen for any business owner navigating the pressures of growth.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
- The disciplined financial strategy that set his first business up for success.
- How to scale a trades business and the unique shareholder model he used.
- The realities of burnout and the importance of mental health for entrepreneurs.
- Transitioning from a high-growth hustle to a sustainable, purpose-driven business model.
- The power of niche marketing and building a brand that connects with a specific audience.
Chapters:
(01:34) Introducing Ben Annabel from Recharge
(03:53) Starting a plumbing apprenticeship and the value of trades
(09:18) The decision to start his first business, Evergreen Plumbing
(16:33) Scaling the business and the strategy that fuelled its growth
(26:16) The transition from Evergreen Plumbing to the Recharge Group
(33:44) The health challenges and burnout that led to the decision to exit
(37:02) The importance of mental health and finding support as a business owner
(41:07) Founding Recharge Group with a unique focus on wellness
(52:47) How retreats are helping business owners recharge and refocus
Forget the generic AI reports from the US. We wanted to know what's actually happening with AI right here in New Zealand, so we sat down with a group of local business leaders for a frank roundtable discussion.
This episode is a recap of that conversation. We cover the surprising ways AI is being used (and the tools people are actually choosing), why clinging to old tools like spreadsheets is holding businesses back, and how the conversation around AI taking jobs is far more nuanced than you're being told.
If you want an on-the-ground perspective on how Kiwi businesses are navigating AI, this episode gives you a seat at the table.
In this episode, we cover:
02:21 Key Insights and Learnings from the Round Table
03:45 AI Tools and Their Impact on Business Processes
06:19 The Role of AI in Replacing or Enhancing Jobs
09:01 Importance of Brand Voice in the AI Era
17:25 Data Security Concerns and Education Gaps
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How do you build an award-winning career in leadership and governance without a university degree? You say yes to opportunities, you learn to take risks, and you focus on what really matters: people.
In this episode, Jordan McFadyen is joined by Adam Harris and talks with Jessie Waite, a leader in New Zealand’s primary industries and the winner of the 2022 Institute of Directors' Emerging Director Award.
Jessie shares her unconventional journey from local journalist to a key figure in agricultural management, proving that your path to success doesn't need to be linear.
We cover:
- Why Jessie believes your personality and ability to connect are more valuable than a traditional CV.
- Her leadership framework of being "clear but kind" and how to have difficult conversations effectively.
- Practical advice for navigating male-dominated industries and the importance of setting boundaries.
- How taking on roles you aren't 100% ready for can be the key to unlocking your potential.
This conversation is full of practical insights for any business owner or aspiring leader who wants to build a career on their own terms.
(This episode was originally recorded live for the Business Hour show on Most FM, thanks to our sponsor Social Kitchen).
Chapters:
(01:56) Jesse's Role at Osprey
(03:50) From Journalism to Leadership
(06:38) Navigating Career Changes
(10:18) Embracing Change and Taking Risks
(19:07) Leadership Philosophy: Clear but Kind
(23:29) Governance and Awards
(26:11) Campaigning for the Young Farmer's Board
(27:18) Understanding Governance and Strategic Thinking
(28:08) Balancing Strategy and Day-to-Day Work
(28:29) Lessons from Venture Taranaki
(31:26) The Importance of Preparation
(35:12) Challenges and Growth in the Rural Sector
(40:40) Coaching and Mentorship
(42:40) Future of the Dairy Industry
(46:22) Personal Aspirations and Career Goals
Google has officially rolled out AI Mode in New Zealand and Australia, and it's a MASSIVE change in how your customers will find you moving forward.
Join us in a quick, unedited and 'live' podcast episode with information about the announcement.
It's a shift from a list of blue links to a conversational, AI-powered assistant that provides direct, personalised answers.
The data from overseas shows that when these features roll out, website clicks can drop because users no longer need to leave Google.
In this episode, I'll give you a detailed breakdown of what AI Mode actually is and how it works. More importantly, using what we’ve already learned from its release in the US, I'll walk you through a clear, actionable plan to ensure your business remains visible. We'll cover the technical foundations, the type of content you need to create, and how to build the brand authority that AI is looking for.
01:28 The Shift from Traditional Search to AI Mode
02:21 Understanding AI Mode and Its Impact
05:30 Preparing Your Business for AI Mode
05:51 Strengthening Your Marketing Foundations
07:19 Building Trusted Visibility Outside Your Website
09:06 Leveraging AI-Powered Campaigns in Google Ads
09:49 Hands-On with AI Mode: Practical Tips
There's a fundamental shift happening in Meta's advertising platform, moving away from manual, interest-based targeting towards an AI-driven model.
On today's podcast we outlines how Meta's algorithm now uses the ad creative itself, from the images, video, and copy, as the primary signal to find the right audience.
We look at the practical implications for businesses, explaining why broad targeting is now more effective than niche audiences.
We examine actionable advice that urges business owners to focus on creating clear, direct creative and leveraging their first-party data, rather than getting lost in complex targeting settings.
The key takeaway is that success on Meta now depends on creative strategy, not just technical media buying skills.
02:01 The Shift to Creative-Driven Targeting
03:36 Embracing AI-Powered Audiences
05:47 The Importance of Creative Content
08:01 Adapting to Ongoing Changes
09:39 Key Takeaways and Action Steps
The way customers find you is changing faster than ever.
Traditional Google SEO isn't enough when nearly 60% of searches end without a click, thanks to new tools like AI Overviews.
So how do you get found, recommended, and chosen by AI like ChatGPT and Google Gemini?
In this episode, we cut through the noise. We'll break down exactly how these new AI gatekeepers decide which businesses to feature.
You'll learn the three most important factors that influence AI visibility. We'll give you a practical, no-nonsense plan to get your technical foundations in order, create content that AI wants to reference, and build the brand authority that makes you the obvious choice.
Stop optimising for yesterday's Google. Hit play to learn how to make your business visible in the new era of customer discovery.
Chapters:
01:01 The Shift in How Customers Find Businesses
02:00 The Importance of Brand Visibility in AI Tools
03:55 Key Factors Influencing AI Recommendations
06:40 Foundational Pillars for AI Visibility
06:47 Pillar 1: Getting Your House in Order
09:03 Pillar 2: Creating Answer-Ready Content
11:09 Pillar 3: Building Trusted Visibility
15:03 Long-Term Strategy
A slow-loading page, a clunky checkout, a recommendation that misses the mark. These small frustrations are no longer minor inconveniences; for 80% of your customers, just three of these 'bad experiences' are enough for them to walk away for good. In an era where AI is meant to be making everything smarter and faster, customer tolerance for any friction in the buying process is at an all-time low.
In this episode, Jordan sits down with Aarti from Done By Nine to unpack why a 'frictionless' customer journey is no longer a nice-to-have, but a critical foundation for growth in the AI era.
We'll explore the real cost of a clunky customer experience and why optimising this process is one of the most powerful moves you can make.
You'll learn the key friction points that are likely costing you customers right now, how to identify them in your own business, and the practical steps and tools you can use to create a seamless experience that not only keeps customers but turns them into advocates.
This isn't about a massive tech overhaul; it's about smart, strategic changes that will make you the easy choice for your ideal client.
Chapters and topics:
01:58 The Importance of Frictionless Customer Experience
03:14 Impact of AI on Customer Expectations
04:32 Personalisation and Consumer Behaviour
06:58 Speed and Convenience in Transactions
08:24 B2B vs B2C: Expectations and Challenges
10:29 AI Tools for Reducing Friction
14:23 Optimising Customer Experience with Data
16:51 Practical Steps to Audit and Improve Customer Journeys
In the second part of our conversation with Adam Harris from Frank and Fearless, we explore the role of the "integrator" – the person who turns vision into reality.
We break down why accountability can be a difficult concept for teams and how to build a culture where people feel safe to take ownership and have uncomfortable conversations.
Adam shares what good culture actually looks like (hint: it's not free drinks on a Friday) and discusses the mindset required to push through growth ceilings.
If you want to build a team that executes effectively and isn't afraid of accountability, this episode provides some great insights.
00:51 The Role of the Integrator and Accountability in Business
01:10 Building a Culture of Ownership and Clarity
03:23 Challenges and Dynamics Between Visionaries and Integrators
08:04 The Importance of Self-Awareness and Team Communication
11:31 Creating a Positive and Effective Company Culture
15:43 The Entrepreneurial Journey and Overcoming Challenges
Are you a business owner constantly buzzing with new ideas but struggling with execution? You might be a "visionary," and that comes with its own unique set of challenges.
In this episode, we're joined by EOS Implementer Adam Harris from Frank and Fearless to discuss the most common headache he sees in businesses today: a lack of clarity.
We explore why getting clear on your direction is the foundation for confidence and growth, and dive into the specific roadblocks that visionaries face.
From chasing shiny objects to struggling with execution.
If you've ever felt like your own ideas are holding you back, this conversation is for you.
01:10 Full Circle Moment with Adam Harris
03:00 Adam's Unique Journey and Career Highlights
05:21 Moving to New Zealand and Business Insights
08:53 Challenges and Opportunities in Business
13:46 The Role of Visionaries in Business
Google Ads just released a feature called AI Max that **they claim** could either boost your ad performance by 30% or completely mess up your campaigns if you're not ready.
It's rolling out across Australia and New Zealand right now, and most business owners have no idea it even exists.
In this episode, we cut through the technical jargon to give you a straight-up guide. You’ll learn what AI Max actually does, the three things your business must have in place before you even consider testing it, and who should absolutely not turn it on.
By the end, you'll know exactly what this means for your business and have a clear, actionable plan to either use it to your advantage or avoid a costly mistake.
01:13 The Shift from Keywords to Intent
03:41 Understanding AI Max Features
07:22 Preparing for AI Max Implementation
09:53 Testing AI Max in Your Campaigns
11:11 Is AI Max Right for You?
This week we're sharing something different – a candid interview from local business radio where Jacqueline pulls back the curtain on building Done By Nine from the ground up.
In this conversation with Tom Schurr from Escape Coffee Roasters, Jacqueline opens up about the realities of running a digital marketing agency during one of the biggest shifts in how customers discover businesses.
From bootstrapping the business during lockdown with three kids at home to navigating the challenges of working with your spouse, this isn't your typical business success story.
You'll hear honest insights about implementing systems like EOS, the reality of scaling a service business, and why authentic community connection matters more than ever in our increasingly digital world.
Chapter Timestamps:
03:18 Starting a Business During Lockdown
04:11 Balancing Family and Business
10:39 Travelling with Kids and Running a Business
16:01 Implementing EOS in Business
25:09 The Impact of AI on Marketing
28:41 The Expanding World of Entrepreneurship
29:11 Navigating AI in Business
29:46 Building a Community for Business Growth
31:29 The Importance of Storytelling in Marketing
32:06 Strategic Planning and Goal Setting
35:45 Balancing Family and Business Travel
36:21 Current Focus and Trends in Marketing
39:28 Implementing Effective Business Systems
43:26 Adapting to Seasonal Business Changes
49:28 The Role of Business Owners in Marketing
We're exploring why chasing website traffic could be the worst marketing strategy you could choose - and what you should focus on instead.
With new research showing AI search visitors will overtake traditional search by 2028, and Google's latest voice search features changing how customers discover businesses, understanding this shift has never been more crucial for your marketing success.
The key insight? AI-driven visitors convert 4.4 times better than traditional Google searchers, but only if you're showing up in the right places with the right approach.
In this episode, we dive deep into the latest AI marketing shifts, exploring:
- Why measuring website traffic is becoming a vanity metric that could mislead your strategy
- Understanding the 2028 tipping point when AI search overtakes traditional search
- Learning how Google's new conversational search features will change customer discovery
- Mastering the shift from keyword-based to conversation-based marketing strategies
00:13 AI's Impact on Search Traffic
01:13 Workshop Insights and AI Trends
02:46 The Shift to Conversational Search
06:54 Optimizing for AI and Conversational Search
We've never shared this publicly before - our actual business goals and the quarterly rocks that drive everything we do at Done By Nine.
In this episode, we're sharing both our 10-year target to empower 20,000 purposeful organisations, along with breaking down exactly how we're using EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) to make it happen!
You'll get an inside look at our current 90-day rocks, including building our community of Daring Growth Seekers, creating a visual studio to showcase team members (not just the company), and revamping our client tools to scale for growth.
Have a listen, join our journey and get inspiration to build your own empire!
01:15 Reflecting on Business Growth and Feedback
02:31 Discussing Goals and Vision
03:23 Breaking Down the 10-Year Target
06:34 Company Rocks and Their Importance
08:24 Community Growth and Engagement
11:55 Visual Studio and Client Testimonials
16:01 Idea Incubator and Process Improvement
B2B marketing has become a completely different beast.
While e-commerce businesses can launch products and see sales within weeks, B2B companies are spending months crafting perfect email sequences and hosting webinars - only to hear crickets.
The divide between B2C and B2B marketing success is widening, especially as AI reshapes how buyers discover and evaluate businesses. Traditional tactics that worked five years ago are failing, and many B2B marketers are struggling to adapt.
In this episode, we explore why 69% of B2B professionals report sales becoming more difficult, and what's actually working for businesses that are thriving in this new landscape.
We dive deep into the practical strategies that move the needle:
01:35 - Challenges in B2B Marketing: Why traditional tactics are failing and buyer expectations have shifted
02:53 - The Role of AI in Marketing: How AI is creating both opportunities and cynicism in B2B spaces
04:43 - Effective B2B Marketing Tactics: The return of face-to-face events and omnichannel touchpoint strategies
11:39 - The Importance of Personal Branding: Why sales teams and founders need LinkedIn presence beyond just CEOs
13:00 - Key Takeaways for B2B Marketing: Understanding your ICP better than ever and adjusting expectations
19:57 - The Power of Referrals and Networking: How existing relationships can dramatically shorten sales cycles
Running a business while raising four kids isn't Instagram-worthy - it's messy, stressful, and requires systems most people never talk about.
In this raw conversation, we want to share the reality behind building Done By Nine while parenting 4 children aged 5-13.
From using a stress scale to communicate with each other, to why device-free mealtimes are non-negotiable, we break down what actually work for us.
We've discovered how parenting skills transfer directly to business challenges, why "good enough" beats perfectionism every time, and the unexpected ways our kids are learning work ethic by watching us navigate building a company during economic uncertainty.
This behind-the-scenes look offers an honest perspective you won't find in typical business content.
No sugar-coating, no perfect morning routines - just real talk about making it work when everything feels like controlled chaos.
00:54 Balancing Business and Family Life
02:25 Parenting Challenges and Strategies
03:55 Managing Work-Life Boundaries
09:25 Finding Personal Time and Motivation
12:30 Lessons from Parenting for Business
The way people search online has fundamentally changed, but most businesses are still marketing like it's 2015.
We're no longer typing simple keywords into Google - we're having full conversations, asking complex questions, and expecting AI to understand exactly what we need.
Recently, Google launch AI Max within Google Ads, alongside AI Mode (a ChatGPT like search within Google). This means that they are moving away from traditional keyword matching.
In this episode, we break down Google's four types of search intent and why understanding the "why" behind every search is now more important than the keywords themselves.
You'll discover how to stop wasting money on irrelevant traffic and start connecting with customers who genuinely need what you offer.
Key insights you'll learn:
- Why Google's AI Max is changing everything about online advertising
- The four types of search intent that drive every customer query
- How to discover what your customers are really thinking when they search
- Simple strategies to match your content with customer intent
- Why keyword-focused marketing is becoming obsolete
Whether you're running Google Ads or just trying to understand how customers find your business, this episode will help you adapt to the new reality of AI-powered search and ensure your marketing stays relevant as the landscape continues to evolve.
00:00 Are Keywords Dead?
00:35 Google's AI Revolution
01:50 Introduction to Keywordless Search
03:32 Understanding User Intent
06:50 Practical Steps to Discover Customer Intent
12:20 Using Intent to Improve Ads and Website
We're going behind the scenes of how we're building our business as a couple in the AI era - and why human relationships matter more than ever.
After running workshops with 18+ business owners across New Zealand, we discovered something surprising: while everyone's obsessing over AI tools, the real breakthroughs are happening in old-fashioned human conversations.
In this episode, we share how we're building community, why our clients stopped wanting JUST monthly reports and started demanding partnership, and what we learned by testing our ideas through real workshops instead of assumptions.
You'll hear about the vulnerability factor that's stopping business owners from asking important questions publicly, how we're using community events as market research, and why that random coffee shop conversation might be more valuable than any AI prompt.
00:39 Building a Business in the AI Era
01:56 The Importance of Relationships and Community
04:28 Shifts in Business and Marketing Strategies
08:03 Workshops and Collaborative Learning
14:40 Encouragement and Final Thoughts