Welcome to Cyber Horror Stories 💻 👻 — a mini-series featuring real incidents, real consequences, and the very real lessons learned from three chilling (and true) cyber security incidents.Joining host Brendan Ritchie is Matt O'Kane, Director at Notion Digital Forensics.When it comes to cyber security... Matt's seen the worst of the worst.And he's also the kind of guy who doesn’t just clean up the messes.He helps companies learn from them.________________________________________________PART 1: In this episode, Brendan speaks with Matt about a real-world cyber incident and data breach that triggered lasting change within a franchise — not just in systems and processes, but in culture.💡 Key themes:- How the data breach unfolded — and what was at stake- The shift towards a culture of data safety- Why cyber security education and awareness now matter more than everThis episode is a must-watch for business leaders, CIOs, and IT professionals looking to understand the human and operational impact of a breach — and how to come back stronger.🔔 Subscribe for Part 2, featuring a new story with different lessons and takeaways.

This podcast episode features cybersecurity expert Ross Sardi from First Focus, discussing a recent cybersecurity breach that led to legal and regulatory scrutiny. They provide actionable insights on strengthening cybersecurity strategies, mitigating risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance to protect businesses from similar threats.

🚨 Could your business survive a cyberattack? Learn how to safeguard your data, comply with regulations, and protect your reputation in this exclusive conversation with technology experts. 🔍💻

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ The key mistakes that led to this cybersecurity breach

✅ Actionable strategies to strengthen your security framework

✅ How regulatory bodies are responding to cybersecurity failures

✅ Steps IT leaders can take to safeguard their organisations

✅ Why proactive cybersecurity is critical for business resilience

🎯 If you're an IT leader, entrepreneur, or business executive, this episode is a MUST-WATCH!

👉 Like & Subscribe for more cybersecurity insights!

💬 Share your biggest cybersecurity concerns in the comments!

📢 Share this episode with business leaders who need to strengthen their security measures!

🔗 Important Links:

🌐 Visit First Focus: https://www.firstfocus.com.au/

📩 Contact Us: https://www.firstfocus.com.au/contact-us/

🔵 Follow First Focus on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/first-focus-it

💡 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more expert business insights!

The Secret to Business Longevity: Succession Planning Done Right! How do successful leaders ensure their business thrives beyond their tenure? In this exclusive episode, Peter Paddon, the visionary behind First Focus, shares his journey, insights, and the succession planning strategies that secured the company’s future. 🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ The role of succession planning in long-term business success ✅ Key challenges and solutions in leadership transitions ✅ How First Focus ensures stability and growth for future generations ✅ Real-life insights from Peter’s leadership journey 🎯 If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or executive thinking about the future of your company, this episode is a MUST-WATCH! 👉 Like & Subscribe for more expert insights on business growth and leadership! 💬 Drop a comment: What’s your biggest challenge with succession planning? 📢 Share this video with leaders who need to think ahead! 🔗 Important Links: 🌐 Visit First Focus: https://firstfocus.com.au/ 📩 Contact Us: https://www.firstfocus.com.au/contact-us/

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/first-focus-it📌 Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 02:15 – Peter Paddon’s Leadership Journey 05:45 – Why Succession Planning Matters 09:30 – Overcoming Challenges in Leadership Transitions 14:20 – The Future of First Focus 18:50 – Key Takeaways & Final Thoughts 💡 Don’t forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more expert business insights! #SuccessionPlanning #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #CEOInsights #FirstFocusIT #BusinessStrategy #FutureLeaders #ITLeadership #CompanySuccess

As AI adoption skyrockets, businesses face growing risks, regulatory uncertainty, and ethical challenges. Enter ISO 42001, the first AI-specific ISO standard designed to govern risk, data privacy, and ethical AI implementation.In this episode, Jason Maricchiolo from ISO 365 breaks down how businesses can align AI usage with compliance, mitigate risks, and prepare for future regulations. If your organisation is using AI—whether for automation, customer interactions, or decision-making—you’ll want to understand this framework.🔹 Key Topics:✔️ What ISO 42001 & why it matters for AI governance✔️ How it connects with ISO 27001 & cybersecurity frameworks✔️ Risk management, bias, and ethical AI considerations✔️ How businesses can implement AI governance today💡 Who Should Listen? IT leaders, compliance officers, CEOs, and anyone using AI in their business.

💡 What does it take to turn a startup company into a successful industry-leading organisation? In this episode, Peter Paddon, founder of First Focus, draws on 20+ years of experience, sharing the hard-earned lessons behind growing a business from scratch, surviving near-bankruptcy, and scaling to success.🚀 Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or leader looking to scale and grow your company, this conversation is packed with real-world strategies, mistakes to avoid, and confronting yet important insights from a founder who's lived through it all — and has survived and thrived to tell the tale.

In this episode, we’re diving into B2B & tech content marketing strategies with Wim Kerkhoff, a marketing expert and SaaS entrepreneur.

We discuss the future of content marketing, the impact of AI, video marketing trends, and how businesses can maximise ROI with a smarter approach to digital strategy.

From SEO best practices to leveraging LinkedIn and video testimonials, we break down what actually works in 2025 to drive leads and position your business as a trusted industry expert.

Learn how to repurpose long-form content into high-performing social posts, improve engagement with the right content strategy, and avoid the biggest marketing mistakes most companies make.

Is there a better way to measure customer experience than the traditional Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT)? In this episode, Brendan Ritchie sits down with Mark Alayev, CEO at Thread, to explore how Customer Effort Score (CES) is revolutionising how businesses approach customer experience and service delivery.🔍 What is Customer Effort Score (CES)?Customer Effort Score focuses on the ease with which customers can solve problems, get assistance, or complete tasks with your business. It’s a leading indicator of customer loyalty, employee productivity, and overall satisfaction—and a game-changer for organisations aiming to retain clients and grow sustainably.💡 Discover: ✔️ How CES predicts long-term profitability better than CSAT✔️ Why reducing friction in customer interactions is critical✔️ The connection between effortless IT solutions and increased productivity✔️ Real-life examples of organisations leveraging CES to identify blind spots in customer experience✔️ The rise of AI-driven IT support and the consumerisation of business software🎧 What You’ll Learn:Whether you're running a Managed IT Service Provider (MSP), leading a tech-driven organisation, or managing cross-functional teams, this episode will provide insights into:1️⃣ Consumerisation of IT: Why B2B software must meet the high expectations set by consumer tech experiences like Slack, Zoom, and WhatsApp.2️⃣ The Productivity Gap: How reducing customer effort directly impacts team performance and ROI, especially for SMBs.3️⃣ AI in IT Service Delivery: How AI-powered platforms like Thread are reshaping IT support by creating seamless, intuitive, and effective customer interactions.4️⃣ Actionable CES Strategies: Learn how to track CES, reduce effort scores, and address pain points for end-users and decision-makers alike.

In this episode, we sit down with Kosta, our Head of Software Development at First Focus. From creating seamless automation processes to delivering on-demand reporting and crafting bespoke web and app solutions, Kosta breaks it all down with real-world examples that will inspire you to think differently about your business operations. 👩‍💻 What You'll Learn in This Episode: - How automation can save hours of manual labour and boost efficiency. - The power of on-demand reporting to drive smarter decisions. - Why innovation isn’t just about fancy ideas—it’s about finding practical solutions unique to your business. - Real-life examples, like fleet management systems, action-learning tools, and clever data integrations that deliver results. Whether you’re curious about software development, eager to streamline your operations, or looking for inspiration to innovate, this chat has something for everyone. 🔗 Connect with Kosta or Brendan on LinkedIn for more insights, or reach out to your TAM if you're already a First Focus client. We’d love to help bring your ideas to life! ✨ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes packed with tips to help your business thrive.