Eric Clark, CEO of Manhattan Associates, believes complexity is becoming a permanent part of the operating environment. Clark discusses why that can create opportunity, what other industries can learn from retail, and how technology and AI can help businesses manage it.
More than 80 percent of people don’t independently verify AI-generated information. As AI becomes the first place customers go for answers, that trust is creating a new challenge for New Zealand businesses.
Charlie Wood shares his views on the key technologies impacting SMEs in 2024. Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) was the standout tech trend of 2023, with tools such as ChatGPT and Dall-E making advanced AI available to everyone, from businesses to individuals. Will the hype settle in 2024, or will more capability be unlocked? Our arena is the vibrant landscape of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across New Zealand, where the adrenaline rush of entrepreneurship meets the tact of technology. Here’s our glimpse into the six tech waves we foresee, each promising to add a new rhythm to the heartbeat of modern business enterprises. 1. Supply Chain enlightenment A robust, agile supply chain is critical for business success. Advanced ERP
A new Kiwi software-as-a-service app is making small business ownership and success more attainable for Kiwis, regardless of business background and skillset. Afirmo is a one-stop-support-shop for small businesses and people venturing into business, and it has attracted 3500 customers in its first year. The SaaS app helps aspiring business owners (sole traders, partnerships and limited liability companies) set up a business from scratch including all the necessary business and tax registrations such as IRD, GST, NZBN, BIC, ACC Cover Plus account, as well as register as an employer and stay on top of tax obligations. The app also provides marketing tools required in the early stages of starting a business like creating a website, designing a logo and registering
The recent unintended leak of a company’s confidential source code, when a staff member used ChatGPT, is a warning to all Kiwi companies that their IP is at risk when staff use AI unchecked. Mark Presnell, managing director of Auckland eCommerce integration company Convergence, said the incident at Samsung underlines the potential perils of AI when used in a company setting. “Every company offers a point of difference because that is core to the value they add. Using AI could compromise their differentiation. “AI has seamlessly integrated into our daily work, providing solutions, speeding up processes, and aiding research. It’s a tool, much like the early mobile phones, meant to facilitate our efficiencies. However, as we once transitioned from company-monitored
New data reveals up to 132,000 Kiwi small business leaders have been targeted by cyberattacks. Now there’s a ten-part content series containing simple, low-cost insights for businesses to take action. A new study commissioned by Mastercard has unveiled the eye-opening scope of cyber-attacks among New Zealand’s small business leaders; up to 132,000 have experienced cybersecurity issues. Of those impacted, 29% claim they experienced financial losses as a result. Despite an increase in cybercrime reports last year1, over a quarter (27%) of small businesses have been forced to make cuts to cybersecurity due to rising cost pressures, with 64% claiming they are actively trying to scale down business costs amidst the cost-of-living crisis. With consumer spending declining2, small business leaders are
Hanna Metz and Tim Warren explain how AI can be employed to adapt your brand voice in just the right way. A brand voice is more than a box to tick or a guidelines pdf collecting virtual dust in a shared folder. Brand voice is a dialogue, a two-way street that forms the foundation of a lasting relationship with the audience. A brand’s voice serves as its signature tune, a melody that sets it apart in a market buzzing with diverse tunes. This voice reflects a brand’s ethos, its values, and its personality. Yet, with the drive towards personalisation, how does a brand ensure it remains authentic while simultaneously tailoring its message to resonate with diverse audiences? AI proposes a
Businesses face new challenges when building and maintaining trust in the ‘ChatGPT age’. But five key principles can help them build trust in the new technology. With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), businesses are streamlining operations, enhancing customer experiences, and even creating written and visual content that was once the sole domain of human creativity. But Kiwis are nervous about the use of AI and distrustful of companies using it. A global, 31-country survey by Ipsos in July 2023 found Kiwis are more nervous about AI and more distrustful than their global counterparts. It found only 43% of New Zealanders trust companies that use AI will protect their personal data, with a similar number (42%) saying they trust companies
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Wednesday 11 November 2026 | 7:00am – 9:30am
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One week after the election, Ready to Rise returns for ‘After the Result’ to help Kiwi SME owners plan ahead for their next bold move, and hard-won growth. Get your tickets for this must-attend business breakfast.
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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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