The Government taskforce recently flagged the construction industry as one of the worst performers.

What did the workplace health and safety taskforce conclude about New Zealand businesses?

Entrepreneurs are driven by the next big idea, the next big trend, and NZ has a number of prominent people leading the way, including Xero's Rod Drury and the Ryan brothers of YikeBike fame.

John Thorman is Managing Director of TMF Group New Zealand.

Accountant moves on to problem-solver role with home-building franchise.

New Zealand companies are being warned of a new business-to-business email intercept scam after one Auckland business was defrauded of more than $18,000.

Brent Marris, Chief Winemaker and Proprietor, and his wife Rosemary own Marisco Vineyards a single vineyard site on 268 ha in Marlborough on the banks of the Waihopai River where they make The King's Series and The Ned wines.

Bridget and Mike Parker of Kiwi Organics, a third generation, 22 year old certified organic farm in the world class fertile soils of the Uawa district in Tolaga Bay.

James Docking CEO, Gentrack on the company's export story.

Exporting is rather front of mind at the moment with one of our largest exporters working extremely hard to regain New Zealand's clean green reputation with the world.

Jill Brinsdon, director of the branding consultancy, Radiation agency. She is a speaker at the Path to Market programme run by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

How do you make a successful export product? Give the people what they need.

Stefan Sinclair, owner of tattoo studios Two Hands and Flash City, and Flash City barbers.

Seasons Gourmet creator Mark Harman has his sights set on more food ventures.

Justin Cunningham, marketing manager at SalesStar.com is a speaker on sales development.

Damian Curtain, director, Espresso Carwash Cafe.

Van Dyck Fine Foods, run by Marcel Naenen and Inge Vercammen, makes Marcels pancakes had its first supermarket order in August 2000.

Janet Mikkelsen is about to start a franchise for State of Grace funeral services in the Eastern suburbs after working alongside the founders, Fran Mitchell and Deb Cairns.

James Dobson, designer of Jimmy D and co-founder of Children of Vision, a physical and online clothing boutique carrying a selection local and imported cult fashion labels such as Deadly Ponies, Bernhard Willhelm, Company of Strangers and Jimmy D.

Of course every small business owner will wax lyrical about how important customer service is to them. I asked the companies featured this week to come up with some specifics so you could all compare it with what you do.