Hi, I'm John Miles, CEO of the New Zealand Marketing Association, author of Sod It, Just Do It, and someone who's spent more than 40 years in marketing, education and international business.

I was born in Newcastle, England, and moved to New Zealand when I was six. I've been making things happen ever since, although not always without the occasional stuff-up.

My career has taken me from playing international badminton to marketing beer, establishing New Zealand's first Film and TV export group, and holding senior leadership roles in business and education across New Zealand and overseas. It's been an interesting ride, and I've been lucky enough to work with some brilliant people along the way.

In 2019, I became CEO of the New Zealand Marketing Association. To put it politely, there was a fair bit to sort out. Since then, we've transformed it from a small local organisation into an internationally recognised benchmark, delivering sustained financial growth, revitalising professional development, building a brilliant team and establishing partnerships with marketing associations around the world.

One of my proudest moments was hearing the Board Chair of the new Marketing Association of Australia say they'd used the NZ Marketing Association as their blueprint.

Not bad for an organisation operating from the bottom of the world.

My approach to leadership is pretty simple: challenge conventional thinking, surround yourself with great people, make decisions and get things done. As I often say, "Strategy is words on paper. People make it happen."

I've been told my energy and enthusiasm are a bit unusual. The MA Board once described them as my superpower, while one member called it "unnatural energy." I'll happily take both.

I'm also an international speaker, known for being refreshingly honest, with a fair dose of laconic Kiwi humour. I've spoken in Mombasa and Singapore and regularly present in Australia, covering everything from leadership and decision-making to the skills professionals will need in the future. In February 2027, I've been invited to speak at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management in Chicago.

And because I'm not particularly good at sitting still, I'm also helping establish ProBros, a men's prostate cancer fundraising initiative, and the Polynesian Creator Collective, which supports young Pasifika creators.

Somewhere amongst all of that, I found time to write Sod It, Just Do It — a practical, no-nonsense approach to making better decisions and getting things done. I'm now working on an expanded international edition because, frankly, there's enough indecision in the world without adding another 400-page business book to the pile.

My philosophy is simple: Innovate, innovate and innovate again.

Usually followed by: Sod it. Just do it.