What if New Zealand is the perfect testing ground for global startups?

This question shaped our fourth episode of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐤𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐜 & 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫.

In this conversation, Susan P. Chen, Ph.D. sits down with Jeffrey Ling, CEO of Christchurch City College and long-time startup ecosystem builder across Asia-Pacific, to explore how New Zealand’s unique market size, culture, and community make it an ideal launchpad before expanding into Australia, the U.S., and Europe.

From mentoring over 190 startups to connecting founders with investors and global partners, Jeffrey shares hard-earned insights on scaling beyond borders, adapting go-to-market strategies, and why starting small in New Zealand can lead to big global wins.

Together, they unpack what it really takes for startups to go international without losing their roots.:

-Why use New Zealand as a launchpad before entering larger markets?
-What makes New Zealand a smart testing ground for global startups?
-Helping founders balance local validation with global ambition
-How can startups avoid “thinking small” while starting in a small market?
-What are the biggest mistakes founders make when expanding overseas?

#TheSkepticAndTheChangemaker #PodcastTeaser #Startups #GlobalExpansion #NewZealandStartups #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Innovation

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What if the risk is doing HR the old way?

This question shaped our third episode of The Skeptic & The Changemaker.

In this conversation, Susan P. Chen, Ph.D. sits down with Stanley Henry, CEO of The Attention Seeker, a creative agency known for helping brands build audiences they can’t ignore. Stanley brings his trademark candor and storytelling flair to unpack how fractional HR can help businesses grow smarter, faster, and with greater agility.

Together, they dive into people, leadership, and growth through a new lens:

-Why chose fractional HR to help you scale 1 to 100?
-Why not just hire a full time HR person?
-The mindset shift founders need to truly leverage people expertise
-Balancing creative freedom with operational discipline
-What startups get wrong about hiring and leadership growth

#TheSkepticAndTheChangemaker #PeopleLeadership #StartupCulture #FutureOfWork #cogrow #Founders #peoplefirst

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What if HR Tech is making things worse?

This question shaped our second episode of The Skeptic & The Changemaker.

In this conversation, host Susan P. Chen sits down with Vanessa Gutierrez, founder of HRPartner.ai, and Founder & Chief Community Officer of AI for HR Community. A seasoned HR practitioner who’s not only building HR Tech, but also has worked with clients of all sizes and is an avid believer in AI in HR, just as described in her startup name HRpartner.ai.

Together they dive into HR and AI content:

•⁠ ⁠Unifying HR data from multiple HR Tech options
•⁠ ⁠Efficiency improvement with HR Tech
•⁠ ⁠HR professionals building/not building HR Tech
•⁠ ⁠Blockchain and NFTs in HR
•⁠ ⁠The future of HR and its nuances

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That idea shaped our very first episode of The Skeptic & The Changemaker.
In this kickoff conversation, host Susan P. Chen sits down with VJ Anand. A seasoned people leader who’s helped scale teams at Visa, Gojek, and high-growth startups across the region.
They dive into the unspoken truths of leadership:

•⁠ ⁠Why growing fast almost always means growing messy
•⁠ ⁠How to protect your culture without locking it in the past
•⁠ ⁠The underrated power of a beginner’s mindset
•⁠ ⁠Why clarity not perks is the real foundation of trust
Whether you’re a founder, HR leader, or team manager, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, culture, and intentional growth.

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