Opinion

Proposed new changes New Zealand workplace laws, which look set to come into play in 2022, will cause the biggest disruption to small and medium businesses in recent history, pandemic aside, writes Ben Thompson. Following in the footsteps of Australia’s modern awards, New Zealand’s Fair Pay Agreements (FPAs) will set minimum standards across different industries or occupation types, allowing employers and unions to negotiate set pay and conditions for employees. Base pay rates, working hours and penalty rates (for work completed overtime, overnight or on weekends and public holidays) are all areas covered under these negotiations. While the government’s intention and objective is to set the bar high around rates and conditions for employees, the problem is that these new measures

New Zealand’s housing and building market is in disarray. Ashley Balls investigation reveals that the real problems extend far beyond the simplistic argument of supply and demand. The recent publication of new housing consents by Stats NZ is good news; the dam finally seems to have broken as a record number of consents were approved in the year to the end of March.[1] This is great news but no one expects prices to fall. Bizarrely, as housing supply goes up, prices follow. Worse, no one, not even the experts, are questioning any of the basics as to why residential property costs in New Zealand are so high and seemingly set to rise even more. There is a depressing amount of

Logan Wedgwood explains how to create the best chance of hiring the right person for your sales role. Have you ever experienced a bad hire? A person who doesn’t fit your culture or reach the performance standards you expected? This happens time and again, especially with salespeople and often it is not the new hire’s fault. More often than not, the business is at fault due to a poor interviewing or poor onboarding process. There is always a chance that any good business can get a bad hire, even with good checks and balances in place. However you want to create the best chance of hiring well. Core purpose fit The starting point of any interview should include talking openly

Robert Tighe explains the spotlight versus mirror approach to storytelling and what it can do for business. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I stand out from the crowd?”, “How do I cut through all the noise and attract customers who want to buy my product or service?”, or “How do I build a personal or business brand?” – telling better stories is the answer. Storytelling for business isn’t about telling stories for the sake of it. You need to tell stories that explain where you’ve come from and what inspired you to follow the path you’re on. You need to tell stories that connect with your customers. You need to use the spotlight and mirror approach.   The

Zac de Silva delivers five non-negotiable action points to help you get 2021 off to a flying start. We all know that 2020 was likely the most challenging year we have collectively faced globally in business (and life) in living memory. I trust you’ve had a decent break over the holidays and are hopefully rested and raring to go, aiming for a better year than 2020. Alas, no one knows how 2021 will pan out. But regardless of what’s ahead, there are plenty of things within your control you can act on now. Here’s what I’d recommend you work on now so you know you’ve given this upcoming year your best shot.   First, I’d have a big think on