The zero-cost loyalty strategy: The humble gift card is your secret weapon

Talk to almost any New Zealand franchise network and bring up customer loyalty, and you will likely hear a chorus of predictable groans. You’ll hear about eye-watering development costs, complex data integrations, and frustrated franchisees.

In a tight economic climate, Kiwi businesses know they need a way to keep customers coming back. But in a franchise network, we hear a common refrain: “Our franchisees question the value in central marketing initiatives,” or “A loyalty programme is just too expensive to roll out right now.”

Why AI is no longer just a tech conversation

As AI rapidly shifts from experimentation to operational reality, AI start-up founder Dave Howden says the businesses that move first – and rethink how work gets done – will hold the advantage.

Healthtex kiwi entrepreneurs

The pharmacist who listened

Three decades behind the counter taught pharmacist turned entrepreneur Tim O’Donoghue that patients know exactly what they want. They just rarely get it. Now, with an FDA-listed product live on Amazon and a 14-strong self-care platform behind it, the Healthtex Co-founder is raising capital through PledgeMe and inviting Kiwi investors into a corner of the global pharmaceutical industry usually reserved for big backers.

Preparing for the coming payroll changes

Payroll changes from 1 April 2026 will affect wages, KiwiSaver contributions, and ACC levies. Shannon Goodwin and Brendan Clough of Baker Tilly Staples Rodway explain what SME owners need to check now to stay compliant and avoid surprises.

Hamilton Awards

Triumph over adversity

Hamilton’s CBD businesses had to endure Covid’s stranglehold throughout 2021, but it didn’t stop almost 80 entries competing for honours in the recent Hamilton CBD Awards, and the winners were celebrated in true style. “The calibre of entries was incredibly high and so impressed the judges,” reports Vanessa Williams, GM of the Hamilton Central Business Association. “It was wonderful to have the whole business community rally behind the awards and submit entries.” She says it has been heartening to see how people have adapted and kept their businesses relevant. All the entrants have a story to tell and have contributed to making Hamilton’s CBD a vibrant and exciting place to do business. “The key elements identified by the judges included

Elmo

Thrive cultures versus burnout cultures

The impact of the pandemic on economic activity, employment, and the way we work has been far reaching. All of this has substantially impacted the world’s collective wellbeing and of course, this state of unease has flowed into workplaces. As workers grappled with a host of pandemic-related grievances, the duty of care employers have for employees, especially in relation to their wellbeing, suddenly assumed unprecedented levels of importance. One thing is certain: the past 18 months have placed employee wellbeing firmly on HR’s agenda. Fast forward to now and many countries around the world find themselves in a state of limbo. They are not yet clear of COVID-19 but are learning to live with it thanks to vaccinations and other

Jasper GTT Dashboard

Aussie track & trace software aids Kiwi businesses

New software developed in Australia aims to give New Zealand businesses confidence that their Covid-19 testing programmes are keeping employees safe while reducing the risks of disruption. “The rampant spread of Omicron, and risk of further variants is putting pressure on businesses to strengthen surveillance testing of their workforce,” says Graham Gordon, CEO of medical technology company Gardian. “The Gardian Test Tracker solution and Self Check app provide a business peace of mind that they are staying on top of the problem and can keep operating. “We’ve seen this in Australia, and now in New Zealand – as Omicron spreads, the threats to businesses and staff are growing significantly,” says Gordon. “It’s why ABC was an early adopter of our

Row of businesses

Who will buy your business?

Maybe you are bored, wish to retire, or over it and it’s just time to get out! There are many reasons people may choose to buy your business.  When looking to sell your business it pays to spend some time considering who is likely to buy your business – put yourself in their shoes and detail what they are likely to be looking for. You may have considered selling your business to a suitable employee or family member, but finding a buyer with the necessary skills, interest and money isn’t always that straightforward. The “list my business for sale” option gives you a great range and a bigger pool of prospective business buyers. There are many types of buyers –

Theresa Gattung sml

Funding for wāhine and non-binary entrepreneurs

SheEO NZ, an economic model created to support wāhine and non-binary entrepreneurs is already delivering strong results and is ready to support a new crop of start-ups. The selected New Zealand ventures that SheEO has backed to date have achieved remarkable growth, with an average revenue growth per venture of 684 percent since being selected. In total, the ventures now employ 134 people, averaging 15 employees per venture, and they collectively generated $20 million revenue, up from $11.9 million in 2020. SheEO was launched in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2017 by Theresa Gattung (pictured), a renowned advocate for women in business. Gattung is thrilled with the results and encouraged with the local success of the model. “Considering we were still reeling