insights

Interviews

westpac / insights on innovation

January 15, 2016February 7, 2016By Samuel Tait

Pick up any newspaper recently and you will most likely have read an article advising that banking sector is ripe for disruption. Across the big four banks, Westpac has been heavily involved in a number of initiatives including creating its own VC fund Reinventure, is a partner in fintech hub Stone&Chalk and runs the annual Westpac Innovation Challenge with incubator BlueChilli. Samuel Tait sat down with Ian Hill, the bank’s first head of innovation, to find out more about how his experience is shaping their approach and how the Westpac Group has positioned innovation front and centre to drive growth for the business.

Interviews

australian defence apparel / insights on innovation

December 15, 2015February 4, 2016By Samuel Tait

Australian Defence Apparel has been using a focus on innovation and design to re-engineer what was previously a government-owned business focused on operational efficiency. It is now a cutting edge textiles and fabric technology manufacturer developing its own intellectual property. Samuel Tait sat down with Darren Swindells, general manager strategic product and innovation, to discuss innovation within the apparel industry and how this renewed focus is driving significant new growth for the company.

Interviews

mirvac / insights on innovation

November 20, 2015February 4, 2016By Samuel Tait

In 2015 Mirvac was ranked number three in Australia on BRW’s 2015 Most Innovative Companies list. At the forefront of construction innovation, Mirvac’s CSR Velocity wall panel system has the potential to revolutionise house building in Australia, with panels manufactured and assembled off-site in quality-controlled conditions, dramatically reducing construction times and overcoming the challenges of wet weather and chronic trade shortages. Samuel Tait met with Christine Gilroy, group general manager, innovation to find out how their internal program Hatch is delivering innovation at Mirvac.

Interviews

kellogg’s / insights on innovation

October 14, 2015February 4, 2016By Samuel Tait

Behaviour and attitude changes towards breakfast in recent years have called into question what the role is for breakfast cereals moving forward. While Kellogg has shaped an entire industry for more than a century since W.K Kellogg created the first-ever breakfast cereal, the company now faces a real challenge to stay relevant. Samuel Tait met with Tamara Howe, director of innovation and masterbrand, Kellogg Australia, to find out how the company uses innovation to ensure it will flourish and thrive throughout the century ahead.

Interviews

google / insights on innovation

September 28, 2015February 4, 2016By Samuel Tait

If you asked most people to name an innovative company, Google will most likely be one of the top companies named. It’s not surprising then that since it’s IPO in 2004 it’s share value has risen over 1200%. Earlier this year the company was once again ranked as one of the world’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company magazine. It’s been said that their secret to innovation success is due to the empowerment of their employees – Samuel Tait met with Lee Hunter, Head of Marketing Innovation for Asia Pacific to find out.

Articles, Interviews

george weston foods / insights on innovation

September 16, 2015February 4, 2016By Samuel Tait

George Weston Foods is using innovation as a lever to drive growth in the bakery category – a category that faces significant challenges due to retailer focus on reducing price. I met with Kerry Sephton, Group Innovation Manager, ANZ, to find out how the company is approaching innovation and how her insights and research background is enabling them to deliver results.