Bernie Brookes AM: The Billion-Dollar Turnaround Blueprint - Truth, Focus Groups, and Systematic Change

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Bernie Brookes AM, Order of Australia recipient and Australian Retail Hall of Fame inductee, whose 40-year career has shaped the retail landscape across four continents. From architecting Woolworths' $5+ billion Project Refresh to transforming Myer under new ownership and turning around South Africa's largest non-food retailer, Bernie reveals the systematic approach to business transformation that most leaders overlook. Discover why the best turnaround strategies already exist inside your organization and how focus groups with your own people can unlock billion-dollar insights.

Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to think systemically about complex business challenges: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

Episode Breakdown

00:00 Introduction to Bernie Brookes and his transformation philosophy

05:42 The overlooked power of focus groups in business turnarounds

12:18 Why broken companies already know what's wrong - and how to extract that wisdom

18:29 Building fact-based reality through staff, supplier, and customer insights

24:17 The PMO framework - structuring leadership accountability for transformation

31:45 Communication strategies that turn resistance into momentum

37:23 "Talk to your horse" - multi-channel communication for organizational change

43:56 International expansion lessons from India, China, and South Africa

51:12 The truth principle - why transparency accelerates transformation

58:37 Leadership philosophy and the intersection of people and performance

About Bernie Brookes AM

Bernie Brookes is a Managing Director and CEO with over 40 years of expertise in retail transformation and turnaround excellence. His career spans four continents, leading some of the world's most complex business transformations, including Woolworths' $5+ billion Project Refresh, Myer's complete carve-out and rebuilding under new ownership, and the dramatic turnaround of South Africa's largest non-food retailer.

As an Order of Australia recipient, Australian Retail Hall of Fame inductee, and UN 'He for She' ambassador, Bernie combines business acumen with a philosophy of truth and entrepreneurship that has transformed industries across Australia, India, China, and South Africa.

Currently serving on multiple boards, including CEO Institute Chair since 2018, and advising private equity firms, Bernie represents the intersection of systematic business transformation and principled leadership that defines the next generation of global business excellence.

Connect with Bernie

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernie-brookes-am-13570b11a/

About Simon Bowen

Simon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.