Huddle In Level Up Podcast

Hiring great people is one of the biggest challenges in business, but as Greg Rogers says, no one sets out to hire the wrong person. The problem is often the process. In this episode of the Huddle In Level Up Podcast, our host Emma Burdett sits down with Greg Rogers from Predictive Recruitment Partners to unpack why traditional recruitment methods often fall short, and how businesses can make smarter, more strategic hiring decisions. Emma and Greg explore what it means to recruit with intent, including how to properly design a role before going to market, why job ads need to speak directly to the right type of person, and how people data can help businesses understand whether someone is likely to thrive in a role, not just look good on paper. They also discuss the real cost of a bad hire, the importance of behavioural fit, how AI is changing parts of the recruitment process, and why finding great people starts with knowing exactly what your business needs. If you’re a business owner, leader or manager who is hiring, growing a team, or wondering why past recruitment decisions haven’t worked out, this episode will help you think differently about how to attract, assess and retain the right people. Connect with Greg: 👉🏽 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcobberrogers/ 👉🏽 Find out more about Predictive Recruitment Partners: https://predictiverecruitment.partners/ Connect with Emma: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If you're a business owner and it's been a while since you took a proper look at your brand, positioning, and market presence, request a free Brand First Impression Review. Emma will look over your brand and share her honest feedback. Request your review at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/brand-first-impression-review/

Business can feel lonely when you’re trying to figure everything out on your own! In this episode, Emma sits down with Rupen Kotecha to talk about the power of community, peer review and surrounding yourself with the right people as you grow a business. Drawing on his experience with WA Leaders, Business Owners Boardroom and The Managers Academy, Rupen shares why business owners need more than surface-level networking. They need trusted rooms where they can learn, share openly, access lived experience and gain fresh perspective. Rupen also shares practical advice for business owners who are ready to grow, including the importance of focus, product-market alignment, understanding your own profile, and building around your strengths instead of constantly fighting your weaknesses. If you’re a business owner who feels like you’re carrying every decision alone, or you know you’re ready to grow but need better perspective, this episode is a reminder that the right room can change everything. Connect with Rupen: 👉🏽 Connect with Rupen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rupen-kotecha-wa-leaders/ 👉🏽 Find out more about WA Leaders: https://www.waleaders.com.au/ Connect with Emma: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If you're a business owner and it's been a while since you took a proper look at your brand, positioning, and market presence, request a free Brand First Impression Review. Emma will look over your brand and share her honest feedback. Request your review at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/brand-first-impression-review/

What happens when you step away from the business you spent years building? In this episode, Emma sits down with Ben De Jonge, Brand and Growth Lead at Dapth and former founder of The Cut, for an honest chat about business ownership, reinvention, process, people and digital change. Ben shares what it was like to close The Cut after 15 years, step into a new chapter, and rediscover the freedom of focusing on the work he loves most. Emma and Ben also unpack why strong processes build trust, how structure creates better outcomes for teams and clients, and why business owners need to avoid getting stuck in the weeds. They also explore community, in-person events, AI, human connection, and how to create value without turning every conversation into a sales pitch. If you’re thinking about growth, change, leadership, systems or your next chapter, this episode is full of honest reflections and practical insights from someone who has lived it. Connect with Ben: 👉🏽 Connect with Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-de-jonge-108b212b/ 👉🏽 Find out more about Dapth: https://dapth.com/ Connect with Emma: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If you're a business owner and it's been a while since you took a proper look at your brand, positioning, and market presence, request a free Brand First Impression Review. Emma will look over your brand and share her honest feedback. Request your review at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/brand-first-impression-review/

Delegation sounds simple… until the work comes back wrong, deadlines slip, and you start thinking, “Honestly, I should have just done it myself.” In this episode, Emma sits down with Dawn Russell, leadership expert, author, and founder of The Heartware Group and Predictive Recruitment Partners, to unpack why delegation is one of the most important leadership skills for business growth. Dawn shares what she wishes she had understood earlier in her leadership career, including why delegation needs to be tailored to each person, not just the task. Emma and Dawn explore why leaders often become the bottleneck, how poor delegation can hold teams back, and why understanding behavioural styles can completely change the way you brief, support and grow your people. They also dive into Dawn’s seven-step delegation framework, the difference between telling and coaching, how to check for mutual understanding, and why asking people how they would approach a task can build confidence, initiative and better long-term capability. If you’re a business owner, leader or manager who feels like everything still comes back to you, this episode will help you rethink delegation as a growth tool, not just a way to get things off your plate. Connect with Dawn: 👉🏽 Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnrussell-workforce-optimiser/ ***FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOUR BEHAVIOURAL STYLE -> Take the assessment here https://heartwaregroup.com.au/start-your-journey/whats-your-profile/ Connect with Emma: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If you're a business owner and it's been a while since you took a proper look at your brand, positioning, and market presence, request a free Brand First Impression Review. Emma will look over your brand and share her honest feedback. Request your review at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/brand-first-impression-review/

If your projects live in spreadsheets, scattered emails or someone’s very tired brain, this episode is your sign to sort it out. In this episode, Emma sits down with Eddie Zhang, founder of Zhamatix, to unpack how businesses can set projects up for success, keep teams aligned, and use tools like Asana to work smarter, not harder. Eddie shares why projects often blow out, how poor planning creates chaos, and why mapping your processes before automating them is so important. Emma and Eddie also dive into what good project structure actually looks like, from goals, owners and milestones through to due dates, reporting rhythms and accountability. They explore why tasks should have one clear owner, how project templates can save huge amounts of time, and how the right task management system can create visibility without micromanaging your team. If you’re running a service-based business, managing client projects, or trying to get your team out of the “where is that up to?” loop, this episode is packed with practical ideas to help you bring more clarity, consistency and calm into the way work gets done. Connect with Eddie: 👉🏽 Connect with Eddie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddiezhangzhamatix/ 👉🏽 Find out more about Zhamatix: https://www.zhamatix.com/ Connect with Emma: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If you're a business owner and it's been a while since you took a proper look at your brand, positioning, and market presence, request a free Brand First Impression Review. Emma will look over your brand and share her honest feedback. Request your review at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/brand-first-impression-review/

Being great at your job doesn’t automatically make you a great manager. In this episode, Emma sits down with Luke Pirrottina, Head of Capability and Development at Good Drinks Australia, to unpack what it really takes to step into leadership and manage people well. They explore the difference between managing tasks and leading people, why first-time managers often struggle to let go of control, and how creating the right environment can help teams feel safe, supported and empowered to grow. Luke shares practical tools and frameworks for better leadership conversations, including the GROW coaching model, the SBI feedback model, and a simple two-way expectations meeting that can help managers build clarity, trust and accountability with their teams. Emma and Luke also dig into the reality of difficult conversations, why avoiding them can cause bigger problems later, and how leaders can balance empathy with clear expectations. If you’re stepping into a management role, leading a team, or trying to support future leaders in your business, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical ideas you can start using straight away. Connect with Luke: 👉🏽 Connect with Luke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-pirrottina-55166168/ 👉🏽 Find out more about Good Drinks Australia: https://gooddrinks.com.au/ Connect with Emma: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If you're a business owner and it's been a while since you took a proper look at your brand, positioning, and market presence, request a free Brand First Impression Review. Emma will look over your brand and share her honest feedback. Request your review at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/brand-first-impression-review/

Think your business legals can wait until there’s a problem? Think again. In this episode, Emma sits down with Tracey Mylecharane, founder of TM Legal Atelier, to unpack why strong legal foundations are essential for sustainable business growth - especially for small business owners who don’t have endless time, money or energy to waste fixing problems later. Tracey shares what more than 20 years in law has taught her about contracts, client agreements, website terms, privacy policies and the real risks of DIY templates or ChatGPT-generated legal documents. She explains why prevention is always better than cure, how the right documents can protect your cash flow and reputation, and why your legals should build trust with clients, not scare them away. If you’ve ever thought “surely something is better than nothing” when it comes to contracts, this episode will make you think twice. It’s a practical, honest conversation about protecting your business, knowing when to ask for help, and building the right professional relationships before things go wrong. Tracey Mylecharane: 👉🏽 Connect with Tracey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracey-mylecharane/ 👉🏽 Find out more about TM Legal Atelier: https://www.tmlegalatelier.com.au/ Emma Burdett: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If this episode has you thinking about your brand and just how visible it is, now is a great time to request a FREE Brand First Impression Review from Emma. Submit your request today at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/brand-first-impression-review/

Digital marketing has evolved rapidly over the past decade, but have the fundamentals really changed? In this episode, Emma sits down with Matt J Hanham, owner of Visible Digital Marketing, author, podcaster and former accountant, to unpack what’s actually working in today’s marketing landscape and what business owners often get wrong when trying to grow. They explore the role of brand versus performance marketing, why visibility is still the most important factor in winning business, and how AI is changing the game (without replacing the need for human input). This episode offers a grounded, honest perspective on what actually drives growth and why “being visible” matters more than ever. Want to dive deeper? Meet the humans behind this episode. Matt J Hanham:👉🏽 Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjhanham/ 👉🏽 Find out more about Visible: https://visible.com.au/ Emma Burdett:👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If this episode has you thinking about your brand and just how visible it is, now is a great time to request a FREE Brand First Impression Review from Emma. Submit your request today at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/brand-first-impression-review/

Branding is more than just a logo or colour palette! It’s the feeling people get, the reputation you build, and the experience your business creates at every touchpoint. [This episode was recorded in October 2025] In this episode, Emma sits down with fellow brand strategist Cass Emerson from Emmersyn Brand Strategy to unpack what branding really means in today’s business landscape, and why it plays such a critical role in growth, marketing, and customer connection. They explore the difference between personal and commercial brands, how branding and marketing work together, and why strong brand foundations can dramatically improve everything from visibility to sales. Emma and Cass also dive into the power of brand activation, the importance of internal culture and team behaviours, and why brand should never be treated as a one-off project. From solo founders to growing teams, this conversation is packed with insights on how to build a brand that feels aligned, stands out in the market, and supports long-term business success. If you’ve ever wondered whether branding is really worth the investment, how it impacts marketing performance, or what it takes to create a brand people genuinely connect with, this episode will give you plenty to think about. Want to dive deeper? Meet the humans behind this episode. Cass Emerson:👉🏽 Connect with Cass on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandraemmerson/ 👉🏽 Connect with Cass on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmersyn_brandstrategy/ Emma Burdett:👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If this episode has inspired you to consider levelling up your branding and marketing, we’d love to chat. Book an obligation free discovery call with Emma today at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/free-discovery-call/

Short, sharp sharing in this solo episode! Topic: Personal brand or company brand: Which one should you actually start with? Emma breaks down one of the most common questions new business owners ask. She walks through the real differences between the two, when a personal brand can help you grow faster, and when building a company brand makes more sense from the start. If you’ve been overthinking how to show up, this will help you get clear and move forward with confidence. Want to dive deeper? Meet the human behind this episode. Emma Burdett: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If this episode has inspired you to consider levelling up your branding and marketing, we’d love to chat. Book an obligation free discovery call with Emma today at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/free-discovery-call/

AI is changing the way we work, market, create and lead - but are we using it well? [This episode was recorded in August 2025] In this episode, Emma sits down with AI educator Em Gee to unpack what AI really means for small businesses, marketers and business owners trying to keep up with change. They talk about how AI is already transforming workflows, content creation and creative thinking, why critical thinking matters more than ever, and how better communication leads to better results with tools like ChatGPT. Emma and Em also explore the very real opportunities AI creates for small businesses, the fears and myths that still hold people back, and why learning to use AI well could become one of the most valuable business skills of our time. If you’ve been curious about AI, unsure where to start, or wondering how to use it without losing the human touch, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest conversation. Want to dive deeper? Meet the humans behind this episode. Em Gee: 👉🏽 Connect with Em Gee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/em-gee/ 👉🏽 Follow Em Gee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereal_emgee/ Emma Burdett: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If this episode has inspired you to consider levelling up your branding and marketing, we’d love to chat. Book an obligation free discovery call with Emma today at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/free-discovery-call/

Feel like your brain's on autopilot? Time to shake things up. In this episode, Emma sits down with critical thinking facilitator Bethan Winn to explore how curiosity, emotional intelligence, and smarter thinking can transform the way you lead and market. If you want to stay sharp (and stay human) in an AI-driven world, this one’s unmissable. [This episode was recorded in July 2025] Want to dive deeper? Meet the humans behind this episode ↓ Bethan Winn: 👉🏽 Connect with Bethan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethanwinn/ 👉🏽 Find out more about Bethan: https://www.bethanwinn.com.au/ Emma Burdett: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If this episode has inspired you to consider levelling up your branding and marketing, we’d love to chat. Book an obligation free discovery call with Emma today at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/free-discovery-call/

25 Years in Business is No Small Feet! In this episode, Emma sits down with Jeff Robson, Founding Director of Access Analytic, to unpack 25 years of building a powerhouse consulting business. [This episode was recorded in September 2025] Want to dive deeper? Meet the humans behind this episode ↓ Jeff Robson: 👉🏽 Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrobson/ 👉🏽 Find out more about Access Analytic: https://accessanalytic.com.au/ Emma Burdett: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If this episode has inspired you to consider levelling up your branding and marketing, we’d love to chat. Book an obligation free discovery call with Emma today at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/free-discovery-call/

Your payroll is telling a story… the question is: is it a good one? [This episode was recorded in September 2025] In this episode, Emma sits down with Gemma McDonnell-Mossop, founder of Payroll Edge, to reveal the hidden power of payroll in shaping culture, trust, and your brand reputation. From her leap out of corporate to building her own consultancy, Gemma shares the real story behind why paying people properly is one of the smartest business and marketing decisions you can make. If you want a stronger team, a more credible brand, and a business that grows sustainably - this is your listen. Want to dive deeper? Meet the humans behind this episode ↓ Gemma McDonnell-Mossop: 👉🏽 Connect with Gemma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-payrolledge/ 👉🏽 Find out more about Payroll Edge: https://www.payrolledge.com.au/ Emma Burdett: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If this episode has inspired you to consider levelling up your branding and marketing, we’d love to chat. Book an obligation free discovery call with Emma today at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/free-discovery-call/

The new Huddle In, Level Up Podcast is officially here! In this first episode you’ll hear from the show hostess with the mostess, Emma Burdett - Brand and Marketing Strategist and Managing Director of Huddle Up Creative Co-Founder of Future Female Leaders. Emma talks about her journey, her passion for helping leaders and business owners grow, and what you can expect from future episodes as we huddle in, and level up together. Links and Goodies: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ 👉🏽 Follow Future Female Leaders on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/futurefemaleleadersprogram/ 🚀 Ready to level up your marketing? Book an obligation free discovery call with Emma today at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/free-discovery-call/