The summer heat wasn’t the only thing creating a buzz at the latest Profit Unleashed business event. Drawing inspiration from the engaging formats of The Graham Norton Show and Sportscafe, this sold-out gathering brought together an eclectic mix of business innovators for an evening of insights, laughter, and compelling conversation.
Led by Profit editor Damon Harvey and the charismatic Yvonne Lorkin, the evening crackled with energy as three distinctive business leaders shared their journeys and perspectives. The dynamic trio included Meta’s APAC Privacy Lead Lydia Johnston, Boring Oat Milk founder Morgan Maw, and former All Black turned sports management mogul Craig Innes.
Lydia, who now calls Hawke’s Bay home after returning during COVID-19, delivered a compelling wake-up call about New Zealand’s technological future. Drawing parallels to the dawn of the internet era, she emphasised that we’re at a pivotal moment in AI development—one she describes as “pre-internet times multiplied by ten.”
Her revelation that New Zealand ranks at the bottom of OECD countries in AI adoption sparked concern among attendees. She urged a return to the nation’s innovative “number 8 wire mentality,” stressing that progress requires balanced risk-taking. Looking ahead, she made a bold prediction: within 18 months, having an AI agent will be as essential for businesses as having a website.
The evening shifted from tech to sports as Craig shared his journey from All Black to sports management pioneer. “It just keeps evolving,” he reflected, describing how player management now encompasses everything from nutrition and social media to mental wellbeing and head injury concerns.
Craig and his business partners sold their business Esportif, joining forces with one of the world’s largest entertainment businesses – Wasserman in 2022.
Craig says the merger has unlocked new opportunities, particularly in Japan’s growing rugby market, where an influx of English players is emerging following club closures in the UK.
Adding to the mix, Morgan’s entrepreneurial journey with Boring Oat Milk proved anything but boring. In just three and a half years, the company has captured an impressive 40% of New Zealand’s supermarket market share and expanded into Asia. Her candid insights on the importance of surrounding yourself with expertise resonated with entrepreneurs in the audience, as she credited her success to strategic partnerships with food technologist Sally Gallagher and Apollo Foods.
The conversation flowed naturally between negotiation strategies and business insights, with all three speakers emphasising the importance of building trust and understanding value. Lydia described her approach of “laying breadcrumbs everywhere” months before making asks, while Morgan stressed the importance of “knowing your worth and being okay with walking away.”
A highlight of the evening was a rapid-fire scenario game that put the speakers’ quick thinking to the test. When faced with a hypothetical cryptic email from Mark Zuckerberg stating simply “Fix this now,” Lydia’s witty response—“Send that email saying ‘Fixed”—drew laughter from the crowd.
Not to be outdone, Craig’s solution to a 3am player crisis involving mince and cheese pies was equally pragmatic: “I think I’d probably call my business partner Bruce Sharrock… and get him to handle it.”
Given the overwhelming success of this sold-out event and the growing waitlist, early registration for the next Profit Unleashed gathering on 22 May is strongly recommended. Like its predecessor, the upcoming event promises to deliver that perfect blend of entertainment and valuable business insights that have become the hallmark of Profit Unleashed—where business wisdom meets engaging conversation.
To get on the ticket list email damon@ theprofit.co.nz or
Check out the video showreel and photos from Simon Cartwright here – www.theprofit. co.nz
