In this episode of Tonka Talks, Simon Traynor, a former CEO and current Non-Executive Director (NED) across four diverse boards, including Kookaburra Sport, Paddle Australia, and the portfolio of Quiksilver/Billabong brands, shares his journey of balancing passion and a demanding professional career. Simon, whose career goal was to work for Nike, reflects on the gratification of achieving that goal early on and the subsequent career evolution into his current portfolio of NED roles.

He recounts the turbulent experience of losing his role during a major restructuring, offering the sage advice that "Your role is made redundant, not you as the person." He also details the deliberate criteria he uses when choosing a board, focusing on cultural alignment, the chair, the P&L, and the product's connection to his head and heart.

The conversation delves into the value Simon brings to a boardroom, specifically highlighting the gap he fills as a NED in his 40s, offering more executive relevant experience than many older directors. With a former Chief Marketing Officer background, he stresses the critical factor for brand success is to intimately understand the consumer both rationally and emotionally.

Simon discusses the impact of his board service on the Movember Foundation, reflecting on the organisation's role in giving men permission to show vulnerability and discuss their health. Finally, he shares his philosophical approach to his professional life, driven by consistency and discipline, aiming for progress and prioritising a professional life that allows him the personal freedom to pursue his passions, especially surfing.

Laura Bogar, the Acting Director of the Capability Partnering and Strategy team (substantively Senior Manager of Organisational Development) at La Trobe University, shares her extensive experience in leadership, performance, and strategy within the higher education sector. She delves into the critical role of managing an acting position, highlighting the need to balance a roadmap for change with navigating unexpected challenges.

Laura advocates for a leadership style characterised by extra transparency - sharing the internal decision-making process with the team to enhance empowerment and engagement, particularly among high performers. She also reflects on the early career perception of being "bossy" and how she reframed it as a strength in being confident and direct.

The conversation touches on Laura's commitment to the higher education sector, driven by its purpose of impacting the student experience and its potential to address areas of leadership immaturity. She details La Trobe's successful, methodical, and internal approach to strategic workforce planning (SWP), emphasising that working slowly and intentionally helps initiatives land better across the organisation and creates internal advocates.

She also explores the evolving demands on leaders to master both the art (empathy, psychological safety) and the science (strategic planning, discipline) of leadership. Finally, Laura discusses the current reality of AI adoption, noting the contrast between her own comfort with the technology and the fear felt across the sector, and shares her excitement for the launch of the La Trobe Leadership Academy.

Amy Sznicer, the Chief Retail Officer at Michael Hill Australia, shares her extensive experience in retail leadership. She delves into the critical role of a CRO, highlighting the importance of strong leadership, a results-driven mindset, and the unique excitement of the retail industry.

Amy discusses the challenges and strategies involved in successful brand repositioning, emphasising the importance of effective communication and a clear vision. She also explores the impact of COVID-19 on the retail market, particularly within the bridal sector, and the key metrics that drive retail success, including sales, margin, average transaction value, conversion rate, and customer data.

The conversation touches on the success of Michael Hill's loyalty program and the impact of celebrity partnerships, such as the collaboration with Miranda Kerr. Amy provides insights into the leadership style of Sir Michael Hill and the company's commitment to sustainability and women's empowerment.

Finally, Amy emphasises the importance of collaboration within the executive team and offers valuable advice for both seasoned retail leaders and aspiring professionals.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Amy's Journey in Retail

04:06 Amy's Career Path and Achievements

11:12 The Thrill of Retail and Leadership

15:04 Evolving Leadership Styles

19:39 Role of Chief Retail Officer at Michael Hill

23:36 Brand Repositioning and Customer Experience

28:36 Navigating Post-COVID Challenges

29:58 Post-COVID Retail Recovery

30:00 Data-Driven Decision Making

32:07 Brand Evolution and Customer Engagement

34:03 The Influence of Sir Michael Hill

36:04 Leadership Insights from Daniel Bracken

38:52 Market Dynamics: Canada vs Australia/New Zealand

42:07 Navigating Public Company Challenges

42:57 Communicating Bad News Effectively

44:59 Corporate Responsibility and the Foundation

48:49 Team Engagement and Customer Response

51:12 Leadership Challenges in Retail

54:13 Building a Cohesive Executive Team

56:06 Advice for Early Career Professionals