Busting Road Blocks

When businesses talk about strategy, innovation, and growth - the spotlight usually falls on leadership, sales, or product. But what about the people who actually make it work? In this episode of Busting Roadblocks, Janet Charteris speaks with Liz Wilson, whose career across administration, bookkeeping, and operational support roles has given her a unique perspective on how businesses really function. Often “voluntold” into new roles and projects, Liz developed a powerful generalist skillset - seeing how decisions made at the top ripple through operations, compliance, and frontline teams. Together, they explore:  Why back-office roles are often underestimated   How “connecting the dots” prevents implementation failure   The gap between strategy and operational reality   Why generalists are critical during change and transformation   How small and micro businesses benefit from operational clarity  Through real examples - including large-scale operational change and compliance initiatives - Liz shares how understanding the full picture helps businesses avoid roadblocks and implement change successfully. Because sometimes the biggest insights come from the people quietly making everything work. Get hold of Liz on LinkedIn or her website To get in touch with Janet try LinkedIn or jcconsultancy.co

Running a business comes with no shortage of systems, processes, and strategies - but when pressure hits, it’s people and leadership that determine the outcome. In this episode of Busting Roadblocks, Janet Charteris is joined by Taranaki-based business advisor Paul Duynhoven to explore a leadership challenge many businesses face: taking on more work than a team can realistically deliver. Paul shares a real-world experience from his career where, under direction, his team found themselves stretched beyond capacity. With no option to walk away, the challenge became how to lead through the pressure - keeping the team aligned, focused, and supported while still delivering results. This conversation unpacks the practical realities of managing through overload, including: how to prioritise when everything feels important when and how to bring in external support the importance of clear communication and expectations and why delegation and trust are critical under pressure Drawing on experience from both business and managing a competitive cycling team, Paul also shares insights on team dynamics, role clarity, and how people can rise to the occasion when given the opportunity. If you’re leading a team, navigating competing priorities, or feeling the strain of “too much to do,” this episode offers practical, grounded insights to help you move forward. To get hold of Paul - try LinkedIn or https://plusmore.co.nz/ To get hold of Janet - try LinkedIn  or https://jcconsultancy.co

Sometimes the biggest roadblocks in business aren’t technical challenges or lack of ideas - they’re the decisions we make after the data is already clear. In this solo episode of Busting Roadblocks, Janet Charteris shares a story from early in her career working in product innovation for a multinational cooperative. After developing a premium smoothie product that performed well in testing, Janet reached stage three of a four-stage development process and made a difficult recommendation: cancel the launch. The market had become too competitive and the numbers showed the product wouldn’t be profitable. Despite the analysis, the business decided to launch anyway. Six months later the product was pulled from shelves after losing money. This episode explores the real roadblock behind situations like this - organisational momentum, internal commitments, and the challenge of stopping something that already feels “too far along.” Janet reflects on why strong processes alone aren’t enough, and why good leadership requires the discipline to act on the information those processes reveal. If you’ve ever watched a project move forward even when the warning signs were clear, this episode will resonate.

Sometimes the hardest lessons in business are the ones that test your self-awareness. In this solo episode of Busting Roadblocks, Janet Charteris shares a personal story about ambition, ego, and timing -  when saying “yes” to a great opportunity looked right on paper but didn’t work in practice. After being headhunted for a senior leadership role, Janet found herself in an environment that wasn’t ready for the structure and commercial discipline she was hired to bring. What followed was a confronting experience about culture, readiness, and the importance of asking better questions before jumping in. She reflects on how to detach self-worth from job titles, why cultural alignment matters more than process, and how to spot when timing - not talent - is the real roadblock. 👉 If you’ve ever taken a role, project, or partnership that looked perfect but didn’t fit in reality, this episode will help you reframe the experience as a lesson, not a failure.

What if the biggest barrier to success wasn’t skill or strategy — but mindset? In this episode of Busting Roadblocks, Janet Charteris talks with Robert Triggs, who started his career as an introverted service technician before becoming a top-performing sales director and coach. His transformation didn’t come from more training or new techniques - it began with a shift in how he thought about selling and success. Robert shares how one book changed the trajectory of his career, why self-awareness and mindset matter more than personality type, and how viewing sales as service can completely reframe your results. From early lessons at Xerox to leading high-performing teams and building his own coaching program, this episode is packed with practical insights for anyone wanting to grow - in business, leadership, or life. 👉 Tune in to discover how reframing your mindset can help you unlock new levels of performance and purpose.

We often think implementation is about structure, planning, and discipline - but sometimes the biggest barrier to execution sits quietly inside our own heads. In this episode of Busting Roadblocks, Janet Charteris talks with Keith Dalmar - digital specialist, business coach, radio host, and serial entrepreneur - about how negative self-talk nearly derailed his business, and how he turned it around. From running a start-up solo in a shed to rebuilding confidence and clarity through self-awareness, Keith’s story is an honest look at the mental side of performance. They explore how self-management and mindset directly influence implementation, and how simple shifts in how we talk to ourselves can reignite energy, focus, and results - both in business and in life. If you’ve ever pushed yourself so hard that your own inner critic became the loudest voice in the room, this episode is for you. Listen now and learn why self-talk might just be the most important system you’ll ever improve. To get in touch with Keith you'll find him on LinkedIn For Janet Charteris try LinkedIn or jcconsultancy.co

One of the biggest growth roadblocks in business is learning how to let go. The shift from doing everything yourself to trusting others with your clients, your systems, and your reputation can feel daunting - but it’s also essential if you want to scale. In this episode of Busting Roadblocks, Janet Charteris speaks with Sarah Groth, a CPA who has worked across large accounting firms, not-for-profits, and general management before starting her own boutique bookkeeping firm. Sarah shares how she overcame the fear of delegating, the practical tools she used to build systems, and the mindset shift that allowed her to grow a capable team without losing control. Whether you’re about to make your first hire, or you’re simply struggling to let go, Sarah’s story offers practical lessons you can apply straight away. 👉 Tune in and learn how people and process can unlock growth in your business. To get hold of Sarah here or email her sarah@sgbs.com.au http://www.sgbalancedsolutions.com.au/ to get in contact with Janet try linkedIn or janet@jcconsultancy.co or http://www.jcconsultancy.co

What does it take to walk into a failed project - and walk out with a win? Andrea shares how she rebuilt trust, reengineered a path forward, and later applied the same mindset to hiking the entire length of New Zealand. When a UK construction project collapsed mid-flight, Andrea’s company got the call. The previous builder had gone under. Contractors were exposed. Clients were emotionally invested. Consultants weren’t even contracted yet. Andrea walked into the mess - and calmly, methodically, engineered a new plan. In this episode, you’ll hear: How she prioritised the most urgent stakeholder - the emotionally invested 3rd-party client What it took to get buy-in from disconnected and distrustful groups How the project turned into a success: a new HQ and 250 residential apartments Why the skills she used weren’t just professional - they were personal We also talk about Andrea’s recent personal challenge - walking the full Te Araroa trail across New Zealand. A solo hike. Thousands of kilometres. One section marked by tragedy. Andrea’s story shows us: calm, planning, prioritisation and resilience aren’t just project tools - they’re a mindset. To get hold of Andrea Salter - LinkedIn  And if you want to get hold of Janet - LinkedIn or janet@jcconsultancy.co

What happens when you stop reacting and finally make time to fix the real roadblock? This is the story of how one small baby food brand went from scrappy underdog to category leader - by creating just enough space to think differently. Stuck in firefighting mode? You’re not alone - and you’re not broken. In this episode, I share a story from my time working with an organic baby food company in New Zealand. Up against industry giants, under constant pressure, and always reacting, growth felt impossible. Until we made one simple shift: we found time to solve the real problem. This episode is for anyone stuck in the day-to-day grind, wondering if they’ll ever get ahead. You’ll hear how: A focus on distribution - not marketing - unlocked 200% growth Local wins helped us scale nationally and break into Australia Making time to think, led to market leadership Firefighting is inevitable. Making it your whole strategy? That’s optional.

When crisis hits, your business doesn’t need hierarchy - it needs clarity. In this episode of Busting Roadblocks, I sit down with Dave, a former rescue helicopter paramedic with 25 years of high-stakes experience, now a crisis management consultant. We unpack a real-world example where the person with the title wasn’t the right person for the job - and how ego, emotion, and poor self-awareness nearly derailed the crisis response. You’ll learn:  ✅ Why BAU leadership structures can fail under pressure  ✅ What to do when rank and capability don’t align  ✅ How to manage ego clashes in the middle of a crisis  ✅ And when it’s time for a “suck it up, this is the call” response This episode is a must-listen for leaders, comms pros, and anyone involved in crisis response or culture change. Because in the heat of the moment, it's not about your job title - it's about getting the job done. To get hold of Dave Greenberg at www.davegreeberg.com and LinkedIn To get hold of Janet try LinkedIn or janet@jcconsultancy.co

In this episode of Busting Roadblocks, Kerry opens up about the layers of self-discovery, the hard-won insights into how she thinks and leads, and how understanding neurodiversity has changed everything—from how she sees herself to how she supports others. We talk about: The impact of masking in early leadership roles How coaching helped—but also shaped her to “fit the mould” The real challenges and hidden strengths of ADHD Why self-awareness is the turning point for growth And how leaders can create workplaces where neurodiverse individuals don’t just survive—but thrive This isn’t a neat story. It’s honest, colourful, and full of depth—just like real life. Get in contact with Kerry here Janet can be found here or email on janet@jcconsultancy.co

What does it take to overhaul a 15-year-old system in a high-stakes healthcare environment - without losing the people in it? In this episode of Busting Roadblocks, we sit down with Leanne Simpson, a General Manager who led a major operational transformation in the patient transport sector. From paramedics and pilots to hospitals, government procurement, and funding bodies, Leanne was working at the center of one of the most complex and tightly regulated systems in healthcare. Together, we explore: ✅ The challenge of changing entrenched mindsets: “It’s not perfect, but we’ve always done it this way.” ✅ Why innovation in high-risk environments is difficult - and how to keep momentum ✅ The critical role of cross-functional communication from CEO to frontline clinicians ✅ How building trust was the secret to lasting change ✅ What it takes to design a system that improves outcomes without leaving anyone behind This is a masterclass in considered leadership, stakeholder engagement, and leading change when the stakes are high and resistance is even higher. 🎧 Tune in to hear how Leanne busted through roadblocks - and what you can take into your own transformation projects. To get in contact with Leanne Simple you can find her on LinkedIn: Janet Charteris is available on LinkedIn or JC Consultancy website www.jcconsultancy.co

When the COVID-19 lockdowns hit, many businesses focused on survival. But for the service business Taka worked in, the real challenge came after the crisis. Gone were the casual chats, shared coffees, and spontaneous team moments. In their place? A relentless stream of emails, meetings, and blurred work-life boundaries. In this episode of Busting Roadblocks, Taka shares how his team recognised the cultural drift - and took intentional steps to rebuild connection. From implementing Mindful Mondays with no meetings, to setting up virtual Friday drinks, they reintroduced rhythm, reflection, and relationships into the work week. We talk about: The hidden cost of being “always on” How communication habits shape culture Designing space for connection in remote/hybrid teams And why slowing down at the start of the week helped them speed up later This episode is for anyone who's felt the shift in team culture - and wants practical, human ways to bring it back. Follow Taka Mapfumo: linkedin.com/in/taka-mapfumo-28899115 And to get in touch with Janet Charteris linkedin.com/in/janetcharterisconsultant www.jcconsultancy.co

When performance dipped across his team, Adam Harris could've responded with pressure and micromanagement. Instead, he did something far more powerful - he took ownership. In this episode of Busting Roadblocks, Adam shares how a personal commitment to coaching and peer accountability sparked a complete rethink of how his business approached roles, responsibility, and trust. From getting his team to self-evaluate and interview for their posistions, to building a structure where each person owned a business-critical deliverable. Adam didn't just fix the problem, he transformed the culture. The Result? A fully engaged, high-performing team - and a leader who made himself redundant. If you're a founder, manager, or team lead facing accountability issues, this conversation is a must-listen/ You can find Adam: linkedin.com/in/aharris1  or https://frankandfearless.com/ And to get hold of Janet https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetcharterisconsultant/ www.jcconsultancy.co #management #accountability #selfawareness #leadership #redundant #EOS or

In this episode Janet takes us through an example of how asking 'stupid' questions to challenge the solutions presented led to a £500,000 saving. You'll hear how getting a good understanding or the problem, the conditions that lead to it, the options available and the customers position and consumer concerns led to better questions and a solution that halved the £1m procurement issue. If you enjoy the episode, subscribe. And if you want to get hold of Janet try: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/janetcharterisconsultant  or www.jcconsultancy.co

What do you do when your innovation isn't hitting the mark?  In this episode of Busting Roadblocks Janet takes you through an example of where she worked with a family owned business, added just enough process and realigned innovation with the consumer at the center. Sometimes your solution solves two problems. The insight into why a problem is occurring is often more important than looking to play the blame game. Using process to help elevate decisions beyond egos is a crucial skill, especially when dealing with multigenerational business ownership. If you have a Roadblock you'd like help with, get in touch  janet@jcconsultancy.co #stageandgate #consumercentric #egos #emotionalintelligence 

In this episode of Busting Road Block our guest, Amy Smith, takes us through a situation where she found herself a young, under experienced, slightly naive female in a high performance environment holding her own with CEO's and Senior Executive from the African Private Equity world. Amy shows us how with the right attitude you can over come intimidating circumstances to find your lane and thrive. Busting Roadblocks is as much about your attitude to identify that you need to do something, as it is systematically identifying and breaking through. Amy is a great example of when we look back at our actions we can now connect the dots - a favourite quote Amy mentions from Steve Jobs. Amy is now a Business Coach, Speaker and LinkedIn Marketing Specialist. If you want to get in touch with Amy - try Amy Smith on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/amylsmithcoach or her website amylsmith.com  If you want my help identifying and Busting Roadblocks in your business get in touch  janet@jcconsultancy.co linkedin.com/in/janetcharterisconsultant jcconsultancy.co 

In this episode I'm joined by Justin Brown of Icehouse Capital. We're discussing how he got 'Sharks to dance'!  We explore interdepartmental competition for resource in the highly competitive financial world.  We've got limited resources, new company owner and structure and to top it all off, a regulatory project that has to be done, but is no way sexy! If you find this podcast interesting please subscribe and if you want me to solve any of your roadblocks reach out on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/janetcharterisconsultant or janet@jcconsultancy.co Justin's LinkedIn page: linkedin.com/in/justin-brown-32b34133

in 2008 businesses were looking everywhere to save money. We're in the UK now and a young marketer is tasked with growing the bottom line without spending more money! Janet will take you through how she busted this roadblock by asking the stupid questions! #roadblocks jcconsultancy.co

A real world example where a supply chain crisis caused a roadblock that could have impacted the customer, consumer and your ability to achieve budget. Janet explains how she broke down the roadblock by utilising the process and leveraging stakeholder relationships. #roadblocks jcconsultancy.co