A competition designed to get young people thinking about the benefits of ultra-fast broadband has netted ten students $2000 each. A $1.35 billion government initiative will see 75 per cent of New Zealanders connected to ultra-fast broadband (UFB) by 2020. In light of this, Telecom has just run its first 'Amazing Ideas Search', asking school students to suggest ways that UFB will improve their lives.
Pat English has been based in China for 12 years, currently in his role of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Commissioner & Consul General in Guangzhou, China He talks to nzherald.co.nz business reporter Ben Chapman-Smith about what he's seeing on the ground in China and why kiwi businesses need to take a hard look at themselves before entering the market.
New Zealand business leaders gathered in Auckland to talk about increasing their foothold in the world’s second largest economy. The China Business Summit, held at the Langham Hotel, aimed to help New Zealand businesses better take advantage of China’s growing wealth. Opened by Prime Minister John Key, top leaders such as Fonterra's Theo Spierings and Mainfreight's Don Braid shared their knowledge about doing business in China.
Dick Smith, who founded Dick Smith Electronics, Australian Geographic and Dick Smith Foods speaking to kiwi business leaders at Tomorrow's Business Forum in Queenstown. This is the full extended speech.
Greg Partington is managing director of Ogilvy and the driving force behind the 'start up' television Shopping Channel launching in NZ on October 1st. He spoke to nzherald.co.nz in a rare interview about the reasons for the channel; the commercial process from the idea to the creation of a company that is aiming for quick success in such a competitive market.
Brian Fallow is the Herald's Economics Editor and gives his opinion on outgoing Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollards final Monetary Policy Statement which has left the OCR unchanged at 2.5 per cent.
Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard kept the official cash rate at 2.5 per cent at his final review of monetary policy.
New Zealand’s first building to be awarded 6 Green Stars in sustainable office design has opened its doors. The Geyser office building in Parnell, Auckland, has glass walls on all sides, is set above a 180-vehicle automated car park stacking system, and has 100 per cent fresh air. Designed by Andrew Patterson, the 5040-square metre Geyser has been designed to use 27 per cent of the energy of a typical office building of its size, require only half the artificial lighting, and use only half the water. nzherald.co.nz Business Reporter Ben Chapman-Smith spoke with Chief Architect Andrew Patterson. Excerpts of Geyser video courtesy of Buildmedia music by FC Kahuna/ Hayling
Nosh CEO Clinton Beuvink explains why it is so crucial for staff to have a passion for their company. For him, the cashier has the most important role within his company. “The cashier completes the experience,” he says. “They can make it totally memorable, because they’re the last interaction point, or they can destroy it.”
Farro Fresh co-founder Janene Draper explains how to empower staff and help them develop within the company. She suggests allowing employees to go on training courses and to act on their own development ideas. “We’ve had staff that have started off on the shop floor being a barista. “They’ve now got company cars and the other staff can actually see what’s happening within the group.”
Frog Recruitment director Jane Kennelly shares ideas on how to foster creativity in a business and the benefits that come from doing so. She also touches on some of the challenges involved in having highly creative people working together. “Sometimes it can become a little bit of a battle of the wills. “By and large, if we have great conversations, they typically lead to great decisions.”
Fran O'Sullivan, Executive Editor for Mood of the Boardroom presents her report & survey findings. Probing the views from CEO's of New Zealand's major companies in association with BusinessNZ, this years CEO survey is strongly focused on how New Zealand can successfully grow during a period of international uncertainty.
Fran O'Sullivan, Executive Editor of the Mood of the Boardroom delivers her report probing the views from CEO's of New Zealand's major companies in association with BusinessNZ. A major topic of hot debate is Superannuation & the issue of raising the age from 65 to 67. Eighty-eight percent of more than 100 CEOs surveyed said retirement funding should be raised. Business leaders were told in no uncertain terms that the Prime Minister would not break his word by raising the superannuation age. Speaking at the Mood of the Boardroom breakfast, Finance Minister Bill English responded to calls from CEOs for National to reconsider its position on super. However, Labour's finance spokesperson David Parker believes the age should be raised but disagrees on the terms of means based assessments.
Kohu Road founder Greg Hall talks about the “win-win” that comes from matching talented people with the right role in a company. He says it is not enough to have great people in the mix – they also need to be in the best-suited job. “As soon as you do things you don’t want to do you’re going to do a bad job, you’re going to lose motivation.” “If you’re doing the things you love, you’ll find success.”
Powershop chief executive Ari Sargent talks about staying motivated and open to change, allowing employees the opportunity to share ideas. “As the competition moves towards us, we need to move away and keep ahead of that game. “We’re always challenging ourselves to do better and just not sit still.”
Spaceworks Managing Director Lizzi Hines shares her thoughts on being a big picture thinker. She says having vision is one thing but that also needs to be balanced with an ability to sort out the finer details. “I actually find it more difficult to focus on the detail.” “I surround myself with the right people to assist me to focus on the detail.”
David Darling, CEO, Pacific Edge on Innovation. David talks about the winning combination behind innovation and international success in the biomedical industry. Having led companies that have achieved world firsts and global success, David says “we got those on the back of having great genetic resources, a great team and we were well resourced from a capital perspective”.
Scott Bartlett, Chief Executive, Orcon on Talent. Orcon CEO Scott Bartlett highlights the importance of staff development and training in keeping people motivated on the job. He also elaborates on a number of strategies businesses like Orcon can implement to give employees a sense of achievement. “The business has to invest in its people heavily,” Scott says. “When you do that, people get a better sense of engagement around the work they’re doing and they’ve got the tools for achieving results.”
Josef Roberts, CEO, Burger Fuel on Culture. Burger Fuel CEO Josef Roberts believes culture is key to staff retention in his company. He elaborates on ways businesses can create the right culture to ensure employees remain engaged and motivated. “I’m a strong believer in creating a culture that people will actually contribute to and feel relaxed enough, confident enough and interested enough to keep coming to work,” Josef says. “We have a high retention of staff and people in the business and I think it’s because we’ve created a culture that’s fun and enjoyable.”
Bupa CEO Dwayne Crombie sees leadership as a way of empowering staff to take ownership of the decision-making process. “I try not to run everything. I try not to be the centre-point for a lot of the day-to-day decisions,” Dwayne says. “I actually tolerate people doing things that wouldn’t be my first choice, so, it doesn’t have to be my way.” Dwayne says staff should ascertain ownership in their roles rather than defer the decision-making process to top management.
Diane Hurford, creator and CEO, Brolly Sheets on Planning. When it comes to business, planning is the key for Brolly Sheets founder Diane Hurford. Diane shares with us the map that will drive her multi-million dollar sales goal in the next five years. “I’m a great believer in plans, so I know where I want the journey to go, I know in five years’ time where I want to be. I call it my Steve Austin plan and it’s a $6m plan,” Diane says.
Spain's banking crisis isn't just a problem for the world's financial markets. It's already a major concern for Spanish businesses who can't get credit, expand and hire workers.
Prime Minister John Key discusses the Greek election results, which may determine the fate of the euro and the world's economy.
Meet Shane Brealey, the founder and managing director of NZ Strong which has just finished the $15.8 million upgrade of The Tepid Baths in Auckland. He takes Anne Gibson on a tour of the complex, from reception into secret areas beneath the pools in a new basement, to show the inner workings of this revived historic civic amenity. He also tells how his firm overcame issues - and demolished rebuilt everything except the distinctive old heritage facade. Mr Brealey says the structure was essentially a new building, up to current Building Code standards. The biggest challenge was working on such a confined and restricted site. Water purification equipment, gas-fired stainless-steel water-heating tanks, sewage pipes and other services can now be easily accessed in a new basement level, he shows.
Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard kept the official cash rate unchanged at 2.5 per cent and pushed out the track for future rate hikes as Europe's instability weighs heavily on global growth.
Herald aviation writer Grant Bradley explores the new Boeing 787, from cabin to cockpit in this behind the scenes video tour.
KPMG head of Agribusiness NZ/Asia Pacific Ian Proudfoot speaks to nzherald.co.nz business reporter Ben Chapman-Smith, about the KPMG Agribusiness Agenda 2012, a survey of 98 industry leaders.
Bill English reveals his fourth Budget to the media lock-up in Wellington.
Business reporter Ben Chapman-Smith from nzherald.co.nz interviews KPMG Executive Chairman Ross Buckley as he explains his analysis and initial reaction to the 2012 Budget.
Brian Fallow is the Herald's Economics Editor and gives his expert analysis from within the lock up in Parliament for nzherald.co.nz.
Apple is now the world’s most valuable company and nzherald.co.nz heard first hand from the co-founder of the company at his Auckland speaking event 'The Apple Story - Disruptive Innovation, Inspiration and Entrepreneurial Wizardry'. This video shows his views on 'The problem with schools and how we are taught to think'.
Alison Higgins-Miller from IT security company Websense on the world of online security threats - viral videos, malware and phishing attacks.
Derek Shortt, head of property for ASB Bank, talks about the new ASB North Wharf building in Auckland. This new building is on the corner of Jellicoe and Halsey St, opposite the new restaurants and the tram line in the Wynyard Quarter. Office workers will also be able to open windows in the building, an unusual step for a commercial block.
Sharesies CEOs Leighton, Sonya & Brooke Roberts speak about the company and its purpose this year. Video / Sharesies