We're back for 2026!

And today's episode we unpack advertising in the age of AI! With OpenAI announcing ads in ChatGPT and Google already running ads in AI Overviews and AI Mode, understanding how to show up in AI-generated answers has never been more important for your marketing strategy.

My key insight? No amount of ad budget fixes invisible!

In this episode, we dive into:

- Why AI search ads are fundamentally different to traditional search advertising

- How AI models decide which brands to mention (and which to ignore)

- The trust signals that actually matter like Google reviews, testimonials, and getting others to talk about you

- How to audit your AI visibility right now before ads roll out in NZ and Australia

OpenAI's new browser - Atlas - has been launched. And we need to understand what this potentially changes for how customers find and interact with our businesses.

In this episode, Jordan McFadyen has a look at the strategic parallels between Google's rise and OpenAI's current moves.

We're moving beyond traditional SEO and Google Ads into an era of "agentic commerce," where AI assistants make purchasing decisions for your customers.

Learn the practical steps you need to take to adapt your digital marketing strategy, build brand authority, and ensure your business is the one recommended by AI.

Chapters:

(01:20) Unveiling OpenAI's New Browser: Atlas(02:38) Google's Strategic Playbook: A Look Back(06:06) OpenAI's Path to Dominance(09:20) Implications for Marketers and Business Owners(13:13) Adapting to the AI-Driven Future

A recent MIT report found 95% of business AI projects fail to deliver any return on investment. The reason is simple: most businesses grab generic tools that look good in a demo but break under the pressure of real, complex work.

Essentially, they're trying to build on a messy foundation.

Success with AI isn't about buying the latest tool; it's about getting your house in order first.

In this episode, I'm sharing a condensed conversation with business consultant Kieran Lee, who explains why a process-first approach is the only way to join the 5% of businesses that are actually getting results.

Tune in to learn:

• The critical difference between the 95% of failing AI projects and the 5% that succeed.

• Why mapping your internal processes is the essential first step before you even think about AI.

• How to start structuring your business data so it's ready for effective automation.

• A practical framework to avoid wasting money on tech that won't deliver real value.

  
  

If you're feeling the pressure to adopt AI but want to do it smartly, this conversation provides the foundational roadmap you need.

Chapters:

01:23 The Rush to Adopt AI: Common Pitfalls01:55 Interview with Kieran Lee: Getting Your House in Order02:58 Understanding Business Processes and AI Integration06:13 The Role of Technology in Modern Consulting08:23 Automation and AI: Opportunities and Challenges11:45 Preparing for the Future: Structuring Your Business for AI

Almost 60% of Google searches now end without a single click to a website. Between AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Google's new AI Mode, the way customers find you has fundamentally changed.

This week, we're pulling back the curtain and giving you a behind-the-scenes listen to an exclusive workshop from our community, "For the Daring Growth Seekers."

In this recording, you'll get a practical plan to ensure your business gets seen in this new era of search.

We'll break down:

- Why AI cares more about what other websites say about you than what's on your own site.

- The three key factors that determine if an AI model will mention your brand.

- Actionable steps you can take this week to build your authority and start showing up in AI-powered search.

It's about building a brand that AI trusts.

Chapters:

(00:40) The Challenge of Visibility in the AI Era

(02:08) Understanding AI's Impact on Search and Visibility

(04:33) Adapting to AI: Practical Steps and Strategies

(12:49) Technical Foundations for AI Visibility

(17:34) Content Formatting and Authority Building

(22:10) Final Tips and Actionable Steps

Want to join live workshops like this one? Learn more about the "For the Daring Growth Seekers" at donebynine.com/podcast.

In this episode, Ben Annabel, founder of accounting and advisory firm Recharge Group joins us.

Recorded for the Most FM Business Hour, this interview covers the entire lifecycle of a business owner - from the initial hustle of a startup to the difficult decision to exit and the journey of starting over with a new purpose.

Ben shares the practical strategies he used to scale his first business, Evergreen Plumbing, and the personal challenges with burnout and mental health that led him to sell it. He talks openly about the importance of brand, why he's now focused on "slow growth," and how his personal experiences have shaped his new venture helping other tradies build sustainable businesses and lives. This is a must-listen for any business owner navigating the pressures of growth.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

- The disciplined financial strategy that set his first business up for success.

- How to scale a trades business and the unique shareholder model he used.

- The realities of burnout and the importance of mental health for entrepreneurs.

- Transitioning from a high-growth hustle to a sustainable, purpose-driven business model.

- The power of niche marketing and building a brand that connects with a specific audience.

Chapters:

(01:34) Introducing Ben Annabel from Recharge

(03:53) Starting a plumbing apprenticeship and the value of trades

(09:18) The decision to start his first business, Evergreen Plumbing

(16:33) Scaling the business and the strategy that fuelled its growth

(26:16) The transition from Evergreen Plumbing to the Recharge Group

(33:44) The health challenges and burnout that led to the decision to exit

(37:02) The importance of mental health and finding support as a business owner

(41:07) Founding Recharge Group with a unique focus on wellness

(52:47) How retreats are helping business owners recharge and refocus

Forget the generic AI reports from the US. We wanted to know what's actually happening with AI right here in New Zealand, so we sat down with a group of local business leaders for a frank roundtable discussion.

This episode is a recap of that conversation. We cover the surprising ways AI is being used (and the tools people are actually choosing), why clinging to old tools like spreadsheets is holding businesses back, and how the conversation around AI taking jobs is far more nuanced than you're being told.

If you want an on-the-ground perspective on how Kiwi businesses are navigating AI, this episode gives you a seat at the table.

In this episode, we cover:

• 02:21 Key Insights and Learnings from the Round Table

• 03:45 AI Tools and Their Impact on Business Processes

• 06:19 The Role of AI in Replacing or Enhancing Jobs

• 09:01 Importance of Brand Voice in the AI Era

• 17:25 Data Security Concerns and Education Gaps

  
  

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-mcfadyen/

Thank you for tuning into For The Daring Growth Seekers - brought to you by Done By Nine, a marketing agency for the AI-era.

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How do you build an award-winning career in leadership and governance without a university degree? You say yes to opportunities, you learn to take risks, and you focus on what really matters: people.

In this episode, Jordan McFadyen is joined by Adam Harris and talks with Jessie Waite, a leader in New Zealand’s primary industries and the winner of the 2022 Institute of Directors' Emerging Director Award.

Jessie shares her unconventional journey from local journalist to a key figure in agricultural management, proving that your path to success doesn't need to be linear.

We cover:

- Why Jessie believes your personality and ability to connect are more valuable than a traditional CV.

- Her leadership framework of being "clear but kind" and how to have difficult conversations effectively.

- Practical advice for navigating male-dominated industries and the importance of setting boundaries.

- How taking on roles you aren't 100% ready for can be the key to unlocking your potential.

This conversation is full of practical insights for any business owner or aspiring leader who wants to build a career on their own terms.

(This episode was originally recorded live for the Business Hour show on Most FM, thanks to our sponsor Social Kitchen).

Chapters:

(01:56) Jesse's Role at Osprey

(03:50) From Journalism to Leadership

(06:38) Navigating Career Changes

(10:18) Embracing Change and Taking Risks

(19:07) Leadership Philosophy: Clear but Kind

(23:29) Governance and Awards

(26:11) Campaigning for the Young Farmer's Board

(27:18) Understanding Governance and Strategic Thinking

(28:08) Balancing Strategy and Day-to-Day Work

(28:29) Lessons from Venture Taranaki

(31:26) The Importance of Preparation

(35:12) Challenges and Growth in the Rural Sector

(40:40) Coaching and Mentorship

(42:40) Future of the Dairy Industry

(46:22) Personal Aspirations and Career Goals

Google has officially rolled out AI Mode in New Zealand and Australia, and it's a MASSIVE change in how your customers will find you moving forward.

Join us in a quick, unedited and 'live' podcast episode with information about the announcement.

It's a shift from a list of blue links to a conversational, AI-powered assistant that provides direct, personalised answers.

The data from overseas shows that when these features roll out, website clicks can drop because users no longer need to leave Google.

In this episode, I'll give you a detailed breakdown of what AI Mode actually is and how it works. More importantly, using what we’ve already learned from its release in the US, I'll walk you through a clear, actionable plan to ensure your business remains visible. We'll cover the technical foundations, the type of content you need to create, and how to build the brand authority that AI is looking for.

01:28 The Shift from Traditional Search to AI Mode

02:21 Understanding AI Mode and Its Impact

05:30 Preparing Your Business for AI Mode

05:51 Strengthening Your Marketing Foundations

07:19 Building Trusted Visibility Outside Your Website

09:06 Leveraging AI-Powered Campaigns in Google Ads

09:49 Hands-On with AI Mode: Practical Tips