The Right Place The Right Place

The Right Place

This is The Right Place to learn about building connections that matter, relationships that last and businesses that thrive. The weekly episodes feature interviews of entrepreneurs and leaders that inspire us. John and Rudolf also regularly unpack their best advice on building your network by giving value and living with your hands open. Our goal for is for to find your right place, by learning from others on how they found theirs.
Weekly English South Africa Business · Careers
70 Episodes
40 – 60

Waste years studying or just network?

Should you spend years studying after high school or should you rather network and find your right place? This week John and Rudolf discuss this question, and weigh up the options you have when you're young. They explore the pros and cons of both approaches and emphasize the importance of…
29 Jul 2024 32 min

Selling through stories with Charles Hsuan

Charles Hsuan loves people and loves helping them grow. But his journey to find his right place wasn’t easy. Born with ADHD he struggled at school, much to the disappointment of his Taiwanese parents who had high expectations. Despite his efforts, meeting those expectations were tough. Everything changed in the…
22 Jul 2024 32 min

Positioning yourself to win with Ursula Grobler

Former Olympian and world record holder in rowing Ursula Grobler talks to John Watson about her career and experience at the 2016 Olympic Games. She covers the build up, the thrill of designing the race kit, the challenges and handling disappointments. Ursula also shares her thoughts on the balance between…
15 Jul 2024 45 min

There's no place like South Africa with Mark Sham

Mark Sham, entrepreneur, speaker and world traveller, talks to John Watson about his passion for showcasing South Africa to the world and the importance of being a tourist in your own country. He shares insights on his ventures, the Suits & Sneakers events @ The Tryst, and the impact of…
8 Jul 2024 54 min

UP! How to connect on new levels

John and Rudolf explore the concept of networking up or connecting with others at a new level. They emphasizes the importance of networking with people above your current level to accelerate your progress and open up new opportunities. This requires a different mindset and approach, including being uncomfortable, having a…
1 Jul 2024 31 min

Creating clear strategic communication with Karlien Delport Botha

In this conversation, Rudolf Rautenbach interviews Karlien Delport-Botha, a strategic communications professional from The Communication Collective. They discuss Karlien's background in communications, the importance of networking, and the value of being a member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). Karlien emphasizes the need for effective communication in leadership…
24 Jun 2024 29 min

How to talk to famous people - don't be an idiot!

How do you talk to famous people? You start by not being an idiot about it! In this episode, Rudolf and John discuss how to approach and interact with famous people. They emphasize treating them as regular human beings and not putting them on a pedestal. They advise being respectful,…
17 Jun 2024 30 min

Growing digital communities with Jason Luboyera

John talks to LinkedIn supremo Jason Luboyera, the Head of Growth @ FDC Agency, about his journey from being a busy child, to his passion for rugby and studying abroad. They discuss his learnings from Toastmasters, and how he landed up working for Top 35 Under 35 CA Louw Barnardt…
10 Jun 2024 45 min

"Networking is dead!" says Sahil Bloom - Do we agree?

We were very intrigued by Sahil Bloom's recent article "The Anti-Networking Guide" so naturally John and Rudolf had to talk about it on the podcast. Do we agree with Sahil that networking is dead? Yes we think so! Smart relationship building is where it's at, and Sahil gave four great…
3 Jun 2024 32 min

Connecting Pretoria Through Tourism with Susan Marais

Is Pretoria the wildest Capital City in the world? Susan Marais certainly thinks so and she is on a drive to show off the best of what Pretoria has to offer. Rudolf spoke with her on her personal journey, from growing up on a farm to running her own guest…
26 May 2024 28 min

Coaching the family business to success with Christine Du Toit

John talks to neighbour and fellow CA, Christine Du Toit, about her journey and experiences as a working mom and business woman. They discuss similarities between being an auditor and a spy, and the importance of building relationships and maintaining connections with colleagues and mentors. Christine shares her experiences starting…
20 May 2024 44 min

Connection Rejection! What must I do next?

John and Rudolf discuss the topic of connection rejection and how to handle setbacks in networking. They share their experiences with rejection and non-responsiveness, emphasizing the importance of not taking it personally. They provide practical advice and strategies for following up and staying persistent, such as using different communication channels…
13 May 2024 33 min

Buying, selling and connecting with Gerhard Cruywagen

Gerhard Cruywagen joins John Watson this week and shares his journey of entrepreneurship, from buying and selling as a child to starting his own computer business, PC Laptops. He discusses the importance of building connections and trust in business and highlights the value of networking. He also talks about his…
3 May 2024 33 min

Public Speaking - scarier than death?

Is public speaking scarier than death? And can anyone do it? This week Rudolf and John give their views on these questions and share their own experiences and tips. They emphasize the need for preparation, focusing on the audience, and practicing to overcome nerves. They also highlight that public speaking…
29 Apr 2024 33 min

Building connections through compliance with Ilana Steyn

This week John talks to Ilana Steyn, the MD at Company Partners. Company Partners is a One-Stop-Shop for all the Company Registration and Tender Compliance Documents you need. Their online system and team of Experts will get you what you need in record time. Contact them Toll Free on 0800…
22 Apr 2024 39 min

Connect while you're young - Part 2: Your First Job

This week John Watson and Rudolf Rautenbach continue their series on "Connect while you're young", with the focus this week being on your first job. How should you start your first job and transitioning to new jobs? What is the importance of networking in the job space? They emphasize the…
15 Apr 2024 33 min

Transforming teams one leader at a time with Yoke Van Dam

This week Rudolf Rautenbach interviews Yoke van Dam about her work as a professional speaker and trainer, and her views of networking. They discuss the importance of adding value in networking, the power of building relationships over time, and the role of associations like the Professional Speakers Association of Southern…
8 Apr 2024 33 min

Connect while you're young - Part 1: School

In this episode, John and Rudolf discuss the importance of networking and building relationships, particularly in the early stages of one's career. They reflect on their own experiences and the lack of emphasis on networking in their school days. They emphasize the need to be aware of opportunities, take initiative,…
1 Apr 2024 31 min

Mastering the art of business leadership

In this episode, Rudolf Rautenbach discusses his experience with the Lifework Leadership Program in Pretoria. He explains to John Watson how the program integrates leadership principles with a Christian foundation and encourages participants to live their faith in the workplace. Rudolf shares his personal journey and key takeaways from the…
25 Mar 2024 29 min

What is value and how do we add it to our connections?

In this episode, Rudolf and John discuss the concept of giving in networking. They explore the importance of giving value to others and how it can attract the right people to your network. They also discuss practical ways to give, such as connecting people and providing access to opportunities. The…
18 Mar 2024 28 min
40 – 60