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The Evolution Partners

The Evolution Partners

Written by: Evolution Partners
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A place for the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers.

The Evolution Partners is a weekly podcast hosted by Brad Giles. Join Brad as he engages in conversations with some of the world’s sharpest minds, learning a bit more about them and delving into what makes them tick.

Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • E85 | Pricing is a Function (Summer Series)
    Jan 18 2026

    Many leaders avoid pricing decisions due to fear of losing volume, yet pricing has the greatest impact on profitability. Andres Zylberberg, Richard Peake and I continue our summer series on why pricing must be treated as a core business function rather than an ad hoc reaction when profits decline.

    A critical factor is pricing elasticity: different products and services respond differently to price changes, and profit often sits in low-elasticity areas where prices can increase with minimal volume loss. Structured pricing systems, clear guardrails, regular review cadences, and defined ownership help remove guesswork and fear. Shifting the mindset from cost-plus or fear-based pricing to value-based pricing enables smarter decisions, better conversations, and sustained profit growth.

    Takeaways

    • Pricing decisions drive profit more than volume, costs, or overhead reductions.
    • Fear of losing volume often causes leaders to delay necessary pricing changes.
    • Different products have different price elasticities, and most leaders misjudge them.
    • Profit often sits in low-elasticity areas where price increases barely affect demand.
    • Clear pricing guardrails remove emotion and improve decision-making across teams.
    • Value-based pricing shifts conversations from discounts to impact and outcomes delivered.
    • Regular pricing reviews create discipline, predictability, and sustained profitability.

    In this episode, we mention Hermann Simon who is the world’s leading expert on pricing. More information: https://hermannsimon.com/

    Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners

    Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/

    Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/
    Made to Thrive
    : The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO
    Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.
    Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.
    Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)

    Follow me:
    on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles
    on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth

    Enjoying the show? Leave a review

    Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperth

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • E84 | Why Don’t I See A Profit? (Summer Series)
    Jan 11 2026

    Business owners often feel frustrated when their P&L shows strong profits but there’s little cash in the bank. This disconnect isn’t incompetence or unfairness – it’s a misunderstanding of how cash really flows through a growing business. In this fifth summer series episode, Andres Zylberberg, Richard Peake and I discuss how profit and cash are not the same.

    Growth itself consumes cash through working capital tied up in inventory, labour, receivables, and timing differences. Relying only on the P&L creates a false sense of security, a “mirage” of sustainability. The real insight comes from understanding cashflow statements, balance sheets, and the cash conversion cycle. With clear management reporting and a customer-funded business model, owners can see where cash is absorbed, regain control, and make smarter decisions that turn paper profits into real, usable cash.

    Takeaways

    • Profit on paper does not guarantee cash sitting safely in your bank.
    • Revenue growth often consumes cash faster than most business owners realise.
    • Relying only on the P&L creates a dangerous illusion of financial success.
    • Cashflow statements reveal where profitable businesses actually lose usable cash.
    • Working capital quietly bridges the gap between profit figures and cash.
    • Fast growth without cash discipline can turn businesses into cash vacuums.
    • Shortening the cash conversion cycle releases trapped cash for growth.
    • Clear management reporting gives leaders control, confidence, and better decisions.

    Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners

    Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/

    Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/


    Made to Thrive
    : The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO
    Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.
    Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.
    Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)

    Follow me:
    on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles
    on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth

    Enjoying the show? Leave a review

    Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperth

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • E83 | The weekly meeting (Summer Series)
    Jan 4 2026

    Weekly meetings are the cornerstone of effective execution, yet they often fail by becoming unfocused status updates that drain energy and momentum. When designed well, the weekly meeting creates rhythm, clarity, and accountability, helping teams move faster and avoid surprises at month or quarter end.

    I’m joined again this episode for our summer series by Andres Zylberberg & Richard Peake. We discuss how effective weekly meetings, over time, build peer accountability and trust, enabling leaders to challenge, support, and align with one another. Rather than adding more meetings, improving the quality of this single meeting can transform execution, focus, and overall business performance.

    Takeaways

    • Weekly meetings drive execution by aligning priorities, metrics, and decisions every week.
    • Bad meetings drain energy through updates; great meetings create momentum and clarity.
    • Preparation and a clear agenda prevent rabbit holes and unfocused discussion.
    • Weekly meetings should focus on important work, not just urgent activity.
    • Collective decision-making accelerates progress and reduces end-of-quarter surprises.
    • Peer accountability strengthens performance when commitments are visible and tracked.
    • Consistent meeting rhythm builds trust, alignment, and leadership discipline.
    • Better meetings matter more than adding more meetings to the calendar.

    Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners

    Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/

    Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/

    Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO
    Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.
    Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.
    Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)

    Follow me:
    on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles
    on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth

    Enjoying the show? Leave a review

    Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperth

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
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