Opinion

Silicon Valley-based technology multinationals and their like, wherever they are headquartered, have been turning to Waikato technologists to solve their problems for years, writes David Hallett. Commercial sensitivity means only those technologists working at the bleeding edge of technology even know about these projects. They are sworn to secrecy. But ongoing relationships like these means the Waikato’s technology sector has continued to grow despite the COVID-19 pandemic and there are many opportunities in this region for those willing to make the move. The Cultivate Trust recently launched the Tech in the Tron campaign, a collective of private businesses, education providers, and public entities who are enthusiastic about growing the Waikato technology ecosystem, to encourage five hundred skilled workers and their

Samantha Gadd offers some advice on retaining employees in difficult times. There is no doubt the state of our economy and global headlines are top of mind for every business owner and leader. We are nervous about cost increases, reduced market confidence and rethinking our business strategies to ensure acceptable results in 2022/23. Employees are also nervous. The cost-of-living crisis is impacting every single New Zealander and unfortunately, I don’t think any business is immune from these challenges. A huge risk and cost for most employers is employee turnover. In this environment, we need to do whatever it takes to reduce this risk, and hang onto our people. Here are my tips for employee retention.   Ensure your EVP (employee

Looking to boost the results performance of your salespeople? Logan Wedgwood identifies self-management and technology adoption as the key to success. Why is it that some salespeople seemingly have all the natural capability they could ask for, but lack the performance to bring results? Often, the answer is much simpler than assumed. It comes down to personal daily structure, sometimes referred to as ‘self-management’. It’s about how an individual sets themselves up for success every single day. And there’s no excuse for it, really. There are free or cost-effective tools all over the Internet to help with this. As an example, some of the areas one could explore include: A morning routine that sets one up well for the day.

Simon Lord explains how New Zealand’s business franchisees found support paid off during lockdown. The recent Delta outbreak, and Auckland’s extended time in Level 4 as the country rushed to achieve higher vaccination levels, saw small businesses suffering once more. Although some subsidies were available, higher thresholds meant many businesses which qualified for support in 2020 didn’t receive the same benefits this time. Yet a survey of over 100 franchisees conducted by the V.I.P. Home Services franchise after the national lockdown began showed that only 16 percent of franchisees rated themselves as anxious, despite being unable to work at all. Ninety-seven percent felt no need of emotional support, which was something V.I.P. offered last time through a variety of means,

Sue de Bievre writes on ‘the goodness in business’ and how we can all be more trusting when it comes to running businesses and managing employees, while still maintaining successful business practices.