In the first Elevate episode of 2026, Ryan sits down with Ankit Sharma to talk about the mood shift they’re both sensing in the sector: confidence is lifting, but the workload hasn’t caught up yet. Ankit’s message is clear. Don’t wait for the upturn. Get proactive. Build your brand, sharpen your value proposition, strengthen your pipeline, and reconnect with past prospects so you’re ready when demand returns.

Ryan and Ankit also talk through what’s changing on the regulatory front, including proportional liability and risk-based consenting, before cutting through the AI noise with three practical starting points: automating routine tasks, improving customer communication, and using data to support better decisions. The episode closes with a look ahead to Constructive 2026 (3 - 4 September, Aotea Centre, Auckland) and a personal story from Ankit on family-set goals that surface blind spots and make change more likely to stick.

Useful links
Connect with Ankit Sharma on LinkedIn
Say No to Say Yes: The Key to Turning Ambition into Progress
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