WANNA MEET AND INTERVIEW A BIG NAME ENTREPRENEUR?
James Tuckerman, Editor-In-Chief, Anthill Magazine
Every edition of Anthill Magazine invariably features an interview (or two) with a big name Australian entrepreneur or thought leader from a country abroad.
For this week’s instalment in our ongoing Magazine 2.0 Experiment, we’d like you, dear reader, to name an entrepreneur that you personally would like to interview and we’ll do our best to set up a meeting.
The outcomes of your interview will be published in Anthill Magazine’s Dec/Jan edition.
Here’s what you need to do… Sell it to us by leaving a comment below. Why this person? How are they interesting? What controversial or elucidating views do you hope to elicit? Then, if you haven’t already, make sure you register for the Experiment (click here). Easy.
- Leave a comment below
- Register (unless you’ve done that already)
Aside from putting ideas in our head for future editions (a good reason to comment, even if you don’t want to take part), your suggestion could well result in a personal meet and greet with the entrepreneur of your recommendation.
We’ll select the most compelling (according to our own keen, sometimes bloated, sense of newsworthiness), then do our best to hook up an interview between you and your suggested target.
If you would like to test your skills, get your name in Anthill and be handed a gift-wrapped opportunity to meet a leading entrepreneur of your choice, post your comments below (and then register for the Experiment).
Tags: interview, journalism, magazine 2.0
September 18th, 2008 at 9:34 am
I would like to interview the head of Liberty Financial (growing finacen company in the contracting market. or Jims from Jims mowing a man addicted to franchising.
Or the CEO of McDonalds Australia and what thye do differently to the US, or as a contrast Hungry Jacks about their opposite apporach. Also Anrew Forrest from Fortescue metals said he wanted to train 20,000 people to help in the mines I want to pick his brains on the details f makig that happen.
Generally People that are doing things in indstrries that may relate to others.
Also the head of Sensis in the light of what google is doing, (this most profistable division of Telstra). These people are taking existing business to new places and offer some grounding to entrepreneural flair. If it is just an entrepreneur then maybe an information Marketer like Mal Emry…..
September 18th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Someone get me in a room with Amanda Briskin of Mimco fame! All I know is that she started a fashion accessories company out of her home, handmaking jewellery and hair accessories (I think), and seven years later sold the company for something like $7million. Mimco is now expanding in the UK, with its own stores and department store concessions. I want to know everything about what it took to get Mimco to that point. How did she make the transition from just another fledgling fashion company, to international brand? What did she hate? What did she love? Who helped her? How did she progress with “life” (children, friends, etc.) in the meantime?
September 18th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Now THAT (meet and interview an entrepreneur) is a very interesting proposition! What’s the time frame?
Second, how would you feel about a standard questionnaire as part of the interviews (without limiting the freedom of the rest of the interviews), so that it would be possible to collate points of convergence or difference on key issues? I’d be interested in hearing from successful founders (not VCs or salaried CEOs) … people who built a business with their own ideas and capital.
One of our companies (internet services) has been cashflow positive since day1 and therefore has no debt. As we near the end of our third year, the key issues we’re concerned with are strategies for growth. We want to grow that business without handing out equity for a peanuts or advice, and preferably without debt. That business is cashed up (even after paying tax) and the questions have to do with things like:
1. what were the key milestones in the development of your business?
2. what were the milestones in building your founding/early stage team? How did you get on with each other?
3. in what order did you put on your first 10 people (e.g. architect? development staff?)
4. did you always insource your infrastructure? If you went from outsourced to insourced, at what point did you do it, and what were the issues?
5. what was your attitude to professional services (lawyers, accountants, marketers)? Did you prefer to do that work yourself?
6. could you talk us through your first three offices (business accommodation)?
7. if you have no significant external funding or investment (and don’t currently see the need for it), what issue or event would you turn borrower for? and what sort of finance would you look for (top 3 preferences)?
September 18th, 2008 at 9:59 am
I would like to inteview Evan Thornley because I am having a similar experience to him; I sold an AU high tech comapny to the US and am a board member there. I want to ask him about dealing with Amercians, what has changed in the hi tech climate, whether he thinks the credit crunch affects IT/us, how did looksmart get any market share at the time, how has looksmart evolved in the face of google. Why did he leave looksmart’s board, what went wrong? I want to ask what he thinks the prospects are for Australian niche IT (like mine!) and what high tech niches are out there for us to chase, in his opinion. What is he doing now, what will he do next?
September 18th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Brenda McKeegan, Carlo Santoro or Anne McKevitt. all stunningly successful Entrepreneurs. If I was to interview one it would be Anne as she is so inspirational. she sold ONE pof her companies a couple of years ago for almost $1 billion!
September 18th, 2008 at 10:02 am
I recommend that you interview Anthony M Saunders. Did you know that he is an insurance and risk adviser on pollution insurance?
Why has he chosen this field? What drives him to press on with his sustainability initiatives? Currently he sits on the steering committee of a national group overseeing contaminated lands. Why was this group formed and why are so many notaries on the board? Why is Anthony being pushed into delivering higher levels of education for Directors and Officers of companies? Is it true that an international insurer wishes to have an exclusive marketing and distribution agreement with Anthony simply because they wish to focus on environmental insurance policies!
Anthony is a true maverick of the insurance industry and is leading the way in environmental insurance and education in respect to our planet’s fragility.
Anthony’s business is the only business in the insurance industry that is growing independently of market movements or acquisitions.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Otherwise, I would like to interview Brendan Nelson. A man who had it all at his finger tips and decided to call for a vote. What is going through his mind right now?
September 18th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Dick Smith or Gerry Harvey are very sucessful Australian business people who seem to have kept a hundred things going at the one time and is successful at it. I need to know what sort of people you need round you that will tell you how to do it rather than tell you how you cannot, I need to know what sort of disciplines you need if any, to get you over mountains when you have a hundred to get over.
Oh! I really want to know.
September 18th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Blake Mycoskie of TOMS Shoes. If you are yet to check out his site then don’t wait any longer, check it out today. www.tomsshoes.com
Blake has combined Business and Social Justice perfectly!
September 18th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I would love to meet and interview Amanda Briskin, founder of Mimco, she is a total inspiration to anyone in business. She launched a business with a $5,000 dollar investment and 11 years later sold it for $45 million. What an inspirational story. She does very few interviews and I would love to get an insight into some of her lessons for success. I am sure anybody out there would be inspired by such a successful business women.
September 18th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
James - sorry to be very boring - one choice for me and it has to be Richard Branson!
September 19th, 2008 at 7:19 am
I’d like to interview Steve Vizard. A facinating guy that suffered at the hands of an obsessed ACCC and was prosecuted by the media in probably Australia’s worse case of tall poppy syndrome. I’d like to hear first hand how he built up a large production company and many other professional and philanthropic ventures. I’d like to ask how he and his family coped with the downfall, and I’d like to hear what he is up to now in what is no doubt a quest to rebuild his reputation.
September 19th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
I’d love to interview one of the leaders from the thriving local video game development industry: John De Margheriti, Tom Crago, Steve Fawkner, Mike Fegan, Rob Walsh or others.
I’ve previously had some involvement with the industry and find it fascinating. It’s a highly under reported export success story, facing interesting challenges ahead.
All of those guys speak passionately about what they do and could give great insight on how the industry developed and how they plan to tackle the challenges facing the industry.
September 19th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Pamela Anderson,
now what red-blooded male would not want to get up close and personal with this business woman!
September 20th, 2008 at 10:52 am
You should get Pete Williams to interview Richard Branson…. It would be a cool article given you’ve refered to Pete as Australia’s Richard Branson in the mag before…
It might be a hard interview to get but Branson vs Branson would be cool.
September 20th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Richard Branson - Cliche i know but i wanna meet the guy who made the Virgin name from somethign considered a dirty word into something the every aspiring entrepreneur wishes had been thier brainchild. Sure i could ead his book but the man has charisma & an aura about him that the books just wouldnt portray.
Also Don Argus. When i was 17 i joined NAB back in 1993 & Don grew that into the bohemoth it is today. How does one make decisions with such confidence knowing that each decision he makes impacts on 50,000+ employees & millions of investors.
Both ballsy people worth looking up to but certainly RB is my number one choice cause no matter how well Don did… he did it with other peoples money, where as Richard is a self made man. Oh & did i mention how much i admire that hes always surrounded by gorgeous women but always keeps “it” in his trousers. Very admirable indeed.
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:21 am
I would love to interview Poppy King about Australian perceptions of failure, young women in business and the eternal quest for the perfect red lipstcik.
September 22nd, 2008 at 10:11 am
Carly Crutchfield!
Left school when she was 13. Paid someone to be her mentor in Property Development. Has built a massive portfolio of developments and now teaches others how to be successful in Property Development while still doing her own developments.
She has such enthusiam about what she does and it is contagious. I would love to interview her to show to everyone that you can do anything with the right attitude!
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:47 pm
“Errr Fasten your seat belts for ROB HARTNETT www.robhartnett – Sales and Marketing Guru!
Now that’s a pitch and a half! He is one of the most “inspirationally injecting and motor neuron fire-ing up (if that’s a word)” blokes I have ever heard speak (apart from you James! ) plus what makes him truly stand out from the rest is that his ridiculously whity and down to earth persona is contagious (I wanna bottle it up)– hmmm come to think about it, I think I saw him in an Austin Powers Tribute band too!!
I soaked up Rob’s knowledge at the BIG marketing event last month and can’t seem to get him out of my mind! ( I may have to turn to stalking him if I don’t get this interview – do you really want to be responsible for assisting a 28 year old to accumulate police charges so early on in her life!!! !!!)
Ok, enough of that, back to ROB HARTNETT. I left feeling pumped and hanging for more! It would surely be a no brainer to interview him as he will bring so much value and cutting edge advice to other small business owners out there just like myself– I wanna hear more pleaseeeee!
I’ve just gotta interview this guy as he seems to have a quirky, catchy and innovative mind changing approach to Sales and Marketing. I’m so curious…
Questions that I would ask ROB that I think would be controversial and educating to me and your subscriber base.
• Do sales fall under marketing or do we keep them separate?
• Should our marketing people be on commission just like our sales people?
• I am an entrepreneur and class myself as a successful person (when it comes to ideas) – What systems, if any, do I need to install and hard wire into my brain to reach the next level?
• You are obviously an OUSTANDING Sales and Marketing Guru, how do you do what you do? What’s the mindset and process?
• Do successful entrepreneurs have a system or is it just off the top of their head/guts/emotion? I’m curious?
GET IN!!!!
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:29 am
As much as I love Charlie Jone’s idea…
I’d think Rodney Adler (and/or Brad Cooper) would be a facinating interview. I remember seeing them speak when I was around 14 or 15 and have always been intrigued by them and given what went down with HIH and the jail time I think it would a great interview.
Adler is trying to rebuild himself now with a consulting business.. so to find out what went wrong, what his biggest lessons have been, what would be do different etc etc would be very valuable.
Anyway, that’s my two cents.
Pete
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:46 am
I think Rodney Alder or Richard Branson would be a really cool interview.
But what about Ed Dale…
Ed started a company called IQ media in the late 1990’s which did a range of things such as all the statistic collection and reporting for major sporting leagues such as the English Premier League. IQ media was sold to a listed technology company in 1999.
But it’s what Ed has since done that I think would also make a good interview…
In 2005 Ed initiated the Thirty Day Challenge, which is all about using WEB 2.0 stuff to build a business online. The program has now run for each of the last 4 years and aims to teach people the basics of Internet Marketing which the goal of earning $1 in 30 days on the Internet. The latest challenge had over 45,000 active participants from all over the globe.
It’s an awesome story, fits perfectly with the web 2.0 theme of this edition and ties in with the mags genre “starting and succeeding at business” - I think they have had 7 millionaries come from the past challenges.
Aaron
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Hi guys & gals I’d like to do a ripper interview with Rove McManus. With his production company Roving Enterprises he is an entrepreneur on the move in Australian media, and has been very successful at establishing the ‘Rove’ brand. Every entrepreneur regardless of industry could learn a thing or two about how he’s developed such a powerful brand for himself - and I’d certainly like the opportunity to learn first-hand some of his secrets to share with the Anthill crowd! My extensive branding experience would give me the unique opportunity to get to the core of how he’s built his brand and deliver these insights in an easily comprehensible manner for all to benefit from.
Other people I’d personally like to interview include Justin Herald (Turned a prank t-shirt into the multi-million dollar Attitude Clothing company), Gordon Merchant (he turned his love for surfing into the billion-dollar Billabong company), or Terri Irwin (Australia Zoo). PS: I’d be happy to travel to interview any of these people!
September 28th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Interview proposal: Kristina “Kikki” Karlsson, Australian entrepreneur
We tend to talk about “design” as a development stage that takes a product or service from being a concept to a reality. With kikki.K, the stationery label started by Kristina Karlsson, design is not just a transient activity but an overriding philosophy. It imbues every product in the store with a differentiating user experience that is solid gold every time. It guides the customer through a shopping interaction that delights, from the browsing to the paying.
Steve Jobs once said, “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” And kiki.K stationary works well and looks pretty damn good too. With around 30 stores around Australia and New Zealand, demand for her unique fusion of style, innovation and usability keeps on growing.
I would be very interested in finding out more about the Swedish-born Karlsson’s business philosophy, and hear her advice on how entrepreneurs can make the art and science of design central to their business model.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:32 am
I would love to find out from any sucessful social, non-for-profit entrepreneur to find out how they make it and thrive in a profit driven society template
October 9th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Do you know what? I’d like to just interview someone that HASN’T had a lot of press! I lvoe Natalie Bloom, Kristina Kikki K, Carmel from Carmel’s Muesli but I’d lvoe to hear from those who have made it but haven’t had the publicity. Rouba from Angels Dreaming Stationery, the founder of 199query, The founders of Service Central, Darren from Problogger, Kate from Adore Beauty, Paris from Planet Cake
October 12th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Hi James, it is a great concept and I really like the idea. I had some names of people in mind and as I read through and got to the end of list, I am with Amelia in that I would like to hear stories from some not so well known entrepreneurs. They could be social entrepreneurs or those that have made a difference in science, health etc that have done some really big innovations. Maybe some crash and burn stories, by those who are building themselves up again – let’s hear from those entrepreneurs that the mainstream media does not keep dishing up.
October 17th, 2008 at 5:29 am
The Rodney Adler and Richard Brandson/Pete Williams get’s my vote.
But I do think the Ed Dale one would be a good fit with the edtions niche.