Stepping up
Why good governance goes a long way in developing SME directors in a rapidly changing business environment.
Why good governance goes a long way in developing SME directors in a rapidly changing business environment.
The thriving Māori economy and workforce are shaping New Zealand’s future, with professional development, leadership, and Māori values driving transformative opportunities across industries.
Almost 20 years after its establishment, the diversity of the Rosebank Business Association’s achievements with its members is impressive, including its latest commitment to growing workplace wellbeing.
The 2021 Women in Wine New Zealand Mentoring Program is underway. Eleven women mentors have volunteered to share their experiences and knowledge to 11 other women in the industry. Over the next six months, the mentors will guide and support their mentees as they work out which direction they want to take next in their career. They will help them set goals, plan how to reach them and encourage them to confidently follow their passion and dreams within the industry. The programme, as always, was over subscribed with a high number of applications, indicating there are many ambitious women working in the New Zealand wine industry looking to stretch themselves and reach their full potential. Following a careful selection process, the
Hamilton’s Ankita Dhakar is passionate about making cybersecurity easy for businesses big or small and positioning cybersecurity as a rewarding career path.
A forward-thinking packaging business provides an excellent case study of why you cannot afford not to train your people. Owen Embling has lost count of the number of times he’s sat at industry round tables where the discussion kept returning to concerns over New Zealand’s skill shortage – a topic he reckons can easily be addressed. “I used to sit in these meetings and think, ‘I don’t have a problem with that’. If you train people from scratch and help them grow, you don’t have this complaint.” Embling (pictured) is managing director of packaging business Convex and during his 30 years with the company that prides itself on producing innovative plastic packaging, he’s maintained an equally innovative approach to investing
In these times of uncertainty and constant change it’s important to remain calm and resilient as a business leader. Lauren Parsons explains how. Uncertainty affects us all, particularly business leaders. You’re having to deal with the personal ramifications of ongoing uncertainty for yourself and your family, as well as the workplace responsibilities of keeping the business afloat and supporting staff – financially, mentally and emotionally. That can be a huge weight on your shoulders. Remember, human beings are wired with an intrinsic desire for certainty. It’s one of our six human needs (along with uncertainty, growth, significance, contribution and connection). Your brain is constantly scanning the world looking for regular patterns, and when you don’t see them, it hits you
Natalie Sisson’s new book Suck It Up, Princess delivers “real-life strategies to be the heroine you already are and have the money, success and life you deserve”. Women everywhere have an inner critic that tries to derail their best-laid plans. Even the most productive women may be plagued by doubt or allow perfectionism and procrastination to disrupt their path to success no matter how accomplished, talented, or prosperous they are. Suck It Up, Princess is here to help women develop the right mindset and strategies to overcome this, says its author Natalie Sisson. “It teaches women to identify inner skills and talents, utilize life experiences, tap into hidden potential, and leverage their unique selves to create the life they truly want
Upcoming event
Thursday 30 July 2026 | 7:00am – 9:00am
📍 Covert Theatre, 51 Mackelvie Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Everyone talks about the importance of business strategy, but what does it actually mean in practice? Strategy trainer Ryan Sproull cuts through the jargon to give SME owners a clear, practical framework for thinking strategically about their business.
Latest issue
Practical AI insights, Kiwi tech innovators, and the tools helping Kiwi SMEs compete on a global stage. It’s all packed into this special tech issue of NZBusiness.
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