How Amazon’s Robert Koen is building South Africa’s most loved store
In this episode of the Business Unusual Podcast, Robert Koen, the Managing Director of Amazon sub-Saharan Africa, joined Ralf Fletcher in-studio to discuss how they’ve balanced a “relentlessly Day One” startup culture with local authenticity.
You’re losing millions in fees – Fynbos Money’s Adrian Hope-Bailie knows how to fix it
In this episode of the Business Unusual Podcast he joins Topco CEO, Ralf Fletcher to chat about the shocking realities of traditional financial advisory fees, the emotional barriers to investing, and why Fynbos Money has adopted a radically transparent, flat-fee membership model.
He is revolutionising finance with AI and the company is now worth billions – Salvador Anglada
In this episode of the Business Unusual Podcast, Ralf Fletcher is joined by Salvador Anglada, CEO of Optasia and veteran leader in telecoms and tech space.
Silicon Valley vs Policymakers: Beverly Schäfer on AI sovereignty and reclaiming humanity
In this episode of the Business Unusual Podcast, Ralf Fletcher chats with Beverly Schäfer, the former deputy speaker of the Western Cape provincial parliament.
Why was EY able to create $1-billion in value by tapping into neurodiverse talent?
If you’re a leader, HR professional or entrepreneur looking to future-proof your organisation this episode will show you how neuro inclusion is a business imperative which can drive innovation and give you a competitive edge.
‘Winnie Mandela thought that was an assassination attempt’ – Mathews Phosa
“In this Business Unusual Podcast Mathews joins Ralf Fletcher to reflect on an eventful career in politics which saw him play a key role in the Codesa negotiations, serve as Premier of the Mpumalanga province, and advise all five of South Africa’s democratically elected presidents.”
From DEI to AI: Nedbank’s Deb Fuller on why humanity is still key for success
From General Electric, building a bank, and now leading the HR portfolio at one of Africa’s leading banks, Deb Fuller’s story is one of how human-centred leadership trumps everything. In this episode of the Business Unusual Podcast, Deb joins Ralf Fletcher to discuss why DEI is evolving, the reason why culture is even more important than strategy or even execution. “If you’re not solving for execution, your strategy is merely a pipe dream. But from my perspective, I truly believe that culture is actually what eats execution and strategy for breakfast.” This is a must-hear for anyone ready to: Listen if you’re ready to challenge assumptions and accelerate leadership that matters.
Leadership is broken – Blanchard SA’s Jayson Naidoo knows how to fix it
What if the real problem in your company isn’t the strategy, the economy, or the competition… but you? In this episode of the Business Unusual Podcast, hosted by Ralf Fletcher, leadership coach and Blanchard South Africa CEO Jayson Naidoo flips the script on traditional leadership. Raised on a small farm, Jayson’s journey from cricket captain to an expert on leadership is anything but conventional—and so is his leadership philosophy. He unpacks the real reasons teams underperform, the shocking truth behind toxic work cultures, and why most leaders—yes, even the “good” ones—are guilty of what he calls “leadership malpractice”. This episode dives deep into the human side of leadership: Whether you’re leading a team, scaling a startup, or just trying to survive in a high-stakes workplace, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership—and give you the tools to transform it. Because at the end of the day, leadership isn’t something you have—it’s something you do. Hit play. Your team, your company, and your legacy depend on it:
CFO or Chief Value Officer? Nedbank’s Mike Davis on mapping a sustainable future
In this Business Unusual Podcast, Nedbank’s CFO Mike Davis joins award-winning broadcaster Leanne Manas to answer this questions and more
From vision to reality: How Chipo Mushwana is shaping the future of payments
Chipo Mushwana joins Janine Brown to discuss her diverse career journey, focusing on her commitment to financial inclusion