Finding and Keeping Good Staff

Finding great employees is a lot like mining for gold. As a long-time business owner and fan of TV's Gold Rush, I have learned that good staff are like gold nuggets. They are rare and hard to find, but worth every ounce of effort.

And the truth is you must move a lot of dirt to find good gold and so it is with your people. You will have to sift through piles of resumes to find those nuggets that can help you transform your business.

Values and Strategy – Why They Must Go Together

In today’s times it is easy to chase business success while losing sight of what truly matters. But achieving profits and growth means little if your work leaves you empty and unfulfilled.

History is full of entrepreneurs who built thriving companies only to find they no longer loved what they did – success came at too high a personal price. It sounds like common sense, yet aligning personal values with business strategy is a principle often overlooked in the rush for success.

To build a successful business and a happy life, you must start with your values and let them guide your strategy.

Owning or Leasing - the Pros and Cons

Many small-to-medium New Zealand businesses face a decision when acquiring equipment or vehicles, whether to buy to own the asset or lease it. This choice affects capital, cash flow, and tax outcomes. Understanding the high-level pros and cons of each option helps owners and managers choose the best approach for their business.

AI – Will You or Won’t You Embrace it?

AI tools offer new possibilities for all businesses. For example, chatbots can answer routine customer questions, while analytics can help target marketing and even forecast demand. AI might automate scheduling or email sorting, freeing owners for strategic work. Likewise, personalised advertising enabled by AI can significantly boost conversion rates.

Sound exciting? Well, it absolutely is but there are “always two sides to every coin”.

7 Key Factors in Making Your Business Saleable

With the average New Zealand business owner now over 50, and about 40% of businesses likely to hit the market in the next decade, it is crucial to make your company stand out as valuable and saleable. Focusing on the following seven key factors will help attract buyers and maximize your reward when you sell.

Why do so many business partnerships fail?

Running a business is always challenging. Add a business partner into the mix, and things can get even more complex. It is little wonder that so many business partnerships struggle to survive. Some statistics show up to 70% of partnerships fail, however, this does not mean a joint venture is doomed. Understanding common pitfalls is the first step to beating the odds.

Debt – A Good or Bad Thing?

The word “debt” often sparks anxiety, evoking thoughts of bankruptcy. Yet in business, debt is not all bad. In fact, when managed properly, debt is considered an essential tool for growth. Simply put, borrowing money lets you leverage a small amount of capital into a larger investment, accelerating expansion that might otherwise be impossible with limited equity.

It may be a cliché, but “when the going gets tough,” the tough really do get going.

Challenging periods test every business, yet the best leaders do not shy away from hard work or tough decisions, they step up. Economic pressures or industry downturns are not the time to retreat. They are the time to refocus on what drives your business and to take decisive action.

When should you ask for help in business? The answer is simple, always. This does not mean you are constantly in crisis, it means you recognise that seeking advice is a strength, not a weakness, and a key to success. The best leaders are lifelong learners who know the value of outside perspectives.

Over the course of my business and professional career, I have learned the hard way that there’s a big difference between reacting and responding. I have been guilty (more times than I’d like to admit) of reacting, firing off emails in frustration, making snap decisions under pressure, or blaming others when things went south. And almost every time, it’s come at a cost financially, emotionally, or in relationships.

From Employed to Self-Employed…..

The Dream, The Reality, and Doing it Right.

For many, the dream of being your own boss is irresistible. The idea of more freedom, flexibility, and control over your own future is a powerful motivator. Whether it is a great idea you are passionate about, a skillset you have and want to monetise, or simply a desire to leave an uninspiring job behind, moving from employment to self-employment is an option more and more people are exploring.

But while the destination may be rewarding, the journey can be tougher than expected.

If you have ever felt unsure about the difference between branding and marketing, you are not alone. Many business owners use the terms interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing.

Understanding how they work (individually and together) is key to building a successful and valuable business.

So, what is the real difference?

Branding is who you are. It’s your business’s identity. It is how people perceive you and what they remember long after they’ve seen your logo or visited your website.

Marketing, on the other hand, is how people find you. It’s the engine that drives awareness, generates leads, and encourages people to take action, like visiting your website, calling you or making a purchase.

Saying “no” in business isn’t about being difficult or dismissive. Equally however always saying yes is not the path to providing good leadership.

In fact, effective leadership often involves the ability to decline tactfully. Whether it’s to a team member, a client, or an external request that doesn’t align with your priorities or values. It’s not about shutting people down. It’s about managing expectations, preserving your time and resources, and protecting your team’s focus.

Wellness in the Workplace – Whose Responsibility Is It?

“Workplace wellness” is a term we hear frequently, but what does it really mean? For some, it’s about fitness challenges and free fruit in the lunchroom. For others, it’s about mental health support, flexible work arrangements, or reducing burnout. The truth is, how we (both employers and employees) define wellness in the workplace shapes how we view responsibility for it.

Success rarely happens by accident. Contrary to what some may believe, success doesn’t just fall from the sky. What often looks like luck is really opportunity meeting readiness and that’s where business planning comes in.

Whether you're just starting out or have been in business for years, planning is the bridge between ideas and results. Here are seven reasons why having a business plan really matters:

Every business owner dreams of a more profitable company. Increasing profitability isn’t just about lining the owner’s pockets though - a better-performing business benefits everyone. Owners see greater returns, employees enjoy more job security, and customers get better products and services. Here are my top tips to boost your profits.

It’s a confronting question for many business owners and professionals: Do I truly love what I do?

You may be successful, respected, and highly capable in your role or business, but still feel unfulfilled. It’s surprisingly common. Being good at something doesn’t always mean it’s the right thing for you to do or continue doing.

Many business owners and executives find themselves stuck in roles they’ve mastered but no longer enjoy. They’re delivering value and generating income, but deep down, something’s missing. Over time, this disconnect can breed frustration and even resentment toward the work, the people, or the environment. That internal tension can quietly impact performance, relationships, and wellbeing.

In business, leverage is the art of using what you have or can access to achieve more. It’s not just about financial borrowing, it’s about smartly applying resources, relationships, expertise, and tools to accelerate growth and boost profitability. Understanding and adopting a leverage mindset can transform how a business grows and competes.

Good business owners and leaders have one thing in common: they know they don’t know everything. And more importantly, they’re not afraid to bring in the right advice when it counts.

Bottom line? If you’re serious about long-term success, surround yourself with smart people and listen to them. Good advice pays dividends.

Whether you’re planning to sell your business next year or in ten, the best way to build real value is to run it as if it’s always ready for sale.

A high-performing, well-structured business not only attracts quality buyers, it gives you more freedom, better returns, and greater satisfaction in the meantime.

Here’s how to make that happen:

1. Start with a Plan – A clear Strategic and Business Plan provides the roadmap. It aligns decision-making, sets targets, and ensures every part of the business is pulling in the same direction.