An owner dependent business can look healthy on paper while still feeling heavy in real life. If everything relies on you being present every day, you’re not building a business yet... you’ve built an expensive job. The uncomfortable realisation On paper, many...
Young teenagers, suited up for their end-of-season football awards. Polished speeches. Firm handshakes. Quiet pride. But before the applause and trophies, the Jon Stanhope their coach stood to speak. He spoke about pride. Professionalism. What it means to lead with...
November is more than a countdown - it’s a chance to reset For many Kiwi business owners, November can feel like a sprint to the finish line. But it’s also a smart time to pause, reset, and realign before the chaos of summer and the new year hits. This NZ business...
Marketing looks different for everyone. For some, it means strategy decks and ad campaigns. For others, it's something much simpler: being seen. You don't need to be everywhere or do everything. But if no one knows what your business is up to, they can’t refer you,...
Running a business in a small town can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do—and one of the loneliest. In a previous column, I shared thoughts on burnout, referencing a Massey Business School study that found 57% of Kiwi workers are at high risk. Here in...
Many business owners I speak to around Whakatāne are running flat out — long days, full books, and still not much left at month’s end. It’s a familiar challenge. And more often than not, the issue is that their hourly rate doesn’t reflect the true cost of labour in...
Small-Town Business Loneliness: Why Trust Is the Cure Small-town business loneliness is one of the most overlooked challenges facing Kiwi entrepreneurs. Running a business in a small town can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. It can also be one of...
Today I spoke with the business studies class at Whakatāne High School about something that’s reshaping the way we work: artificial intelligence. We looked at practical ways AI can help in business—from planning to marketing—and the students had some sharp questions....
Most New Zealand businesses track too many numbers and act on none. Dashboards fill up with charts, yet teams are unclear on what truly matters. A strong KPI strategy for NZ businesses helps cut through the noise and focus on the few metrics that actually drive...
Looking to boost your innovation culture? You’re not alone. Many New Zealand businesses find themselves stuck in routine—doing things the same way because that’s how it’s always been done. But change doesn’t have to mean big budgets or huge upheaval. This post shares...
Work’s pouring in. Your phone won’t stop ringing. From the outside, it looks like you’ve made it. But here’s the reality for many growing trades businesses in Aotearoa: the more jobs you take on, the tighter cashflow becomes. You’re paying for materials,...
I watched a chef the other day absolutely nail a dish. Technique, timing, flavour—everything was spot on. When I complimented him, he just shrugged and said, “It’s not rocket science.” He’s right. It’s not rocket science. But it is a science. Skill, instinct,...
As AI chatbots become integral to business operations, understanding their privacy implications is crucial. With many professionals cautious about how their data is used, choosing a chatbot that aligns with your privacy expectations is more important than ever. The...
We ran this seminar a couple of years ago and have been asked to do it again! It sold out quick! First the awkward accounting joke! Why did the accountant break up with their calculator? They felt they didn’t have enough interest! Sorry… Ever thought about running...
At the heart of every successful business lies one universal truth: numbers don’t lie. Whether you're aiming for growth, stability, or something in between, your financial data holds the key to where you’ve been—and where you’re heading. Accountants are often seen as...
Setting goals can sometimes feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be boring or overly complicated. That’s where SMART goals come in – they’re a proven way to stay focused and achieve what you’ve set out to do. And by adding a touch of creativity, you can...
I see it all the time. Someone buys a small business for $100,000 or less and, to save on costs, skips due diligence. They tell themselves, "It’s just a small business; what could possibly go wrong?" But fast-forward a few months, and that “simple” purchase has turned...
In today’s fast-paced world, workplace interruptions are more common than ever. These disruptions—whether it’s a quick question from a colleague, a ping on your phone, or yet another meeting—take us off track, often leaving us scrambling to refocus. But the good news...
Work-life balance: it’s a phrase that gets thrown around a lot. For many, it conjures images of strictly set hours and weekends free from work. But what if balance isn’t about sticking to a rigid 9-to-5? What if it’s more about finding your rhythm than following the...
When I first decided to announce that Calc would close at midday on Fridays, I was nervous. It felt like a bold move away from the traditional accounting firm approach. We live in a time where clients expect us to be constantly available, and I worried about how this...