Why the CEO of BMW Australia wants you to take a ‘sleep test’

Vikram Pawah has loved cars since he was a child. Or more specifically, engines. From Honda to Harley Davidson and now BMW, the chief executive has worked for some of the biggest car and motorcycle brands in the world. And it was through motorcycle riding that the luxury car company CEO learnt how to avoid making rash decisions: “Sometimes what your reflex is telling you is the wrong thing in motorcycle riding – it might make you crash.” On this week’s episode, the CEO of BMW in Australia and New Zealand sits down with BOSS editor Sally Patten to explain how the “sleep test” helps him make tough decisions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Jess Saxby became the chief executive of Banjo’s Bakery Cafes, she went "hell for leather". Taking over the family business, the new CEO was always chasing the next big thing for the chain. Until she realised she couldn't switch off. On this week's episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the bakery boss to find out how Saxby overcame burnout and the boundaries she's put in place since.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turning around a business never comes down to just one thing, says Shane Bracken.  The chief executive of Subway in Australia and New Zealand believes three key steps have been critical to expanding the sandwich brand across the country. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out how this CEO continues to grow the largest fast-food chain in Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The founder of online retailer Kogan.com firmly believes that mistakes are an “additional asset” that any company can learn from. But the entrepreneur says there was one “existential mistake” he made that stands out. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the chief executive to find out how he came to value decision-making and the missteps along the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Chiba’s first executive role was “a bit of a rollercoaster”.  After starting in the role of customer service director, the company entered a divestment process – making the entire workforce redundant.  It was an experience that would give the now-Momentum Energy CEO some of big lessons on communication and transparency. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the chief executive to find out about the skills that helped Chiba navigate the path to executive leadership.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to banking, Joseph Healy has seen it all.  After a long career holding executive positions at NAB, ANZ and Citi, the high-profile banker co-founded Australia’s first fintech unicorn, Judo Bank. And beyond the world of financial services, the chief executive also started mental health group Malu Health last year. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out what drives this CEO and the most valuable lessons he’s learnt along the way. This podcast was sponsored by Aussie Broadband.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Art Gallery of NSW director Maud Page says one of her biggest failures was not speaking up enough early in her career. “I’ve always spoken up if I thought there was an injustice, but one that I feel was a failure was when I fell pregnant," the gallery's chief executive says. On this week's episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with Page to find out about the early challenges she faced before taking on the state's top arts job – and the ones she's navigated since. This podcast was sponsored by Aussie Broadband.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Sanjeev Gandhi was called into the office of German chemical company BASF’s managing director, the young salesman was “tentative and concerned”. It was a meeting that would go on to change the course of his career. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the CEO of mining services giant Orica to find out how an unexpected opportunity paved the way to executive leadership. This week’s episode was sponsored by Aussie Broadband.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three-time Olympic gold medallist Bronte Campbell knows a lot about high-stress situations. But for the co-founder and CEO of sustainable athleisure company Earthletica, there are a few techniques she draws on no matter the circumstance. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out how this athlete-turned-chief executive deals with high-stakes events – in the pool and the office. This podcast was sponsored by Aussie Broadband.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Managing director Dan White says his first day working alongside his father and brother at Australia’s largest real estate company was surreal. A fourth-generation, family-run business, Ray White dominates the country’s competitive property market. In this week’s episode of the new season of 15 Minutes with the BOSS, host Sally Patten sits down with the property leader to find out the perks and challenges of working with family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.