Episode 34: Growth Through Scaling Internationally with Irene Bennetts

In this episode, Jenny talks with Irene about 'Growth Through Scaling Internationally'. Get ready to be inspired by the remarkable journey of Irene Bennett, a university dropout who transformed obstacles into opportunities to become the dynamic CEO and founder of Admin Army. Irene’s story is a testament to the power of leveraging one's skills in admin and accounts while pursuing a passion for business development and strategy. She candidly shares her experiences of starting a business amidst the challenges of relocating to a new town, highlighting the importance of proactive networking to build essential connections. Irene's journey offers invaluable insights into overcoming hurdles and relentlessly following one's passion to achieve business success.

Listen as Irene takes us through Admin Army’s strategic transition to an offshore model, a move that led to its acquisition by Streamline Business Group. Initially resistant to offshoring, Irene shares how this shift enabled greater scalability and growth, proving that maintaining high-value local roles and facilitating client business expansion can positively impact the domestic job market. The conversation sheds light on the complexities of maintaining a cohesive company culture and effective communication across geographically dispersed teams, revealing the need to adapt perspectives and methods to achieve business goals.

Finally, we explore the dynamics of managing an international team across New Zealand, Fiji, and India, where overlapping work hours enhance seamless communication and productivity. Irene shares her insights into fostering a strong company culture through fun team activities and intentional cultural development, emphasizing the importance of finding the right fit for each region through a structured recruitment process. As Admin Army looks towards future growth, particularly in Europe, Irene provides a glimpse into the ambitious expansion plans while ensuring genuine interest from applicants and maintaining trust in her team's recruitment abilities. Don’t miss this episode filled with entrepreneurial wisdom and global business strategy insights.

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Remember: Better strategy, better business, better life! See you next time!