NZBusiness Digital Issue – December 2024

Read the December Digital Issue of NZBusiness and discover the transformative power of professional development and how it can help you grow your business.

Professional development may seem like a luxury when budgets are stretched thin, but it is, in fact, a strategic move for businesses looking to future-proof their operations. Those businesses that succeed are often those that prioritise upskilling their leaders and workforce, equipping themselves to innovate, compete, and navigate uncertainty.

In this issue, we shine a spotlight on professional development and training as transformative tools for SME growth. From Waikato’s world-class MBA programme and UC’s online accessible learning solutions to the Icehouse’s hands-on workshops, New Zealand offers an array of opportunities to build leadership, technical, and strategic capabilities.

We also explore inspiring stories of business owners who have embraced growth through training, like Jeremy Pitts of About Giving, who turned digital challenges into triumphs, and Israel Rangitaawa of Coastwood Homes, whose leadership transformation is driving both personal and business success.

These stories remind us that growth doesn’t always require significant resources – sometimes, it starts with the courage to think differently and take the first step.

Contents

4 – Business Briefs
7 – NZBusiness Online
10 – Opinion: The high cost of leadership neglect by Glen Sharkey
12 – Behind the business of gift giving: About Giving’s sustainability focus
16 – Power shift: Mike Casey’s electrification revolution
18 – Transformative training: Professional education for SMEs
22 – Opinion: Māori – A major driving force for New Zealand’s economy by Ben Ngaia
24 – The big AI learning curve: Here’s where business owners can start
28 – Spark’s helping New Zealand SMEs to embrace the AI revolution
30 – A start-up journey from hip-hop to RTDs
32 – Empowering small business owners through volunteer mentorship
34 – From Nelson to the world with Jonny Hendriksen
36 – Beyond the Boardroom: Stepping up