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Are Relationships the Backbone of Business Success?

Business is often seen as a numbers game—profit margins, revenue targets, and bottom lines.It is, but those numbers wouldn’t exist without the relationships behind them.Every sale, every contract, every dollar in your business is the result of the connections you’ve built—with employees, clients, and suppliers.Nurture those relationships, and the numbers will follow.Neglect them, and no amount of strategy will save you.The strongest, most profitable businesses don’t just have good...

Why Business Planning Beats New Year’s Resolutions Every Time

It’s the start of 2025, and everyone’s talking about New Year’s resolutions!Being healthier is always on my list, especially after December usually involves way too much eating and drinking!What resolutions have you set? Will they still matter in February?If I want to be healthier, then I need to plan out my daily walks and make a meal plan, otherwise nothing changes! Are you the same?Here are five reasons why ACTION beats INTENTION every time:Resolutions Are Vague, Plans Are Actionab...

How to Build Customer Loyalty Without Cutting Prices

Everywhere you look, businesses are running sales, slashing prices, and offering ‘too-good-to-miss’ deals. It’s a tried-and-true strategy for big brands looking to dominate the market. But for SMEs—especially those in service or trade industries—is it really the best approach?While big companies use discounts to chase market share, small businesses should focus on something far more sustainable—profitable growth. Let’s dive into why loyalty, not discounts, is the smarter play for y...

The Gain Mindset: How shifting your focus can increase your success

Ever feel like no matter how hard you work, you’re just not getting ahead? You’re not alone.The other day, a client sat across from me, frustration written all over their face. “I just can’t seem to get ahead,” they sighed. “I’m still not where I want to be, and it’s so frustrating.”I nodded and asked, “Where were you a year ago?”They thought for a moment. “Well, a year ago, we were struggling to keep up with demand, and our systems were all over the place. Now, we’ve s...

Are You on the Brink of Burnout? Discover 4 Strategies to Achieve Work-Life Balance

Is Work Taking Over Your Life?Achieving work-life balance is a common struggle for business owners.If you’ve ever found yourself answering emails at the dinner table, taking client calls on your day off, or waking up at 2 a.m. thinking about payroll, you’re not alone.When work starts creeping into your personal time, it doesn’t just steal your evenings—it leads to stress, exhaustion, and eventually, burnout.This lack of balance can be traced back to a few common challenges.How many of th...

How to Streamline Business Processes for Maximum Efficiency and Productivity

Is Your Business Running Efficiently?Running a business isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter. The more streamlined your operations, the less stress, wasted time, and unnecessary costs you’ll have to deal with. But let’s be honest—most businesses have processes that are clunky, slow, or just plain frustrating.So, where do you start?Spot the BottlenecksBefore you can fix anything, you need to figure out where the inefficiencies are. Ask yourself:What tasks take longer t...

5 Essential Strategies to Safeguard Your Business Against Financial Uncertainty

Have you ever watched a train wreck in slow motion?That’s what it can feel like when you see businesses struggling—whether it’s due to rising costs, unpredictable customer demand, or the constant challenge of economic shifts. No matter the industry, financial uncertainty is a reality that every business owner will face at some point.As business owners, we thrive on certainty. We crave the stability that allows us to plan, grow, and invest in our futures. But when financial uncertainty rear...

5 Reasons Why Regular 1:1 Meetings Boost Productivity and Improve Company Culture

Are You Actually Listening to Your Team?Ever been frustrated because an employee missed the mark, didn’t follow a process, or just seemed disengaged? Before you jump to conclusions, ask yourself: When was the last time you had a proper 1:1 with them?We all get busy. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind, pushing meetings aside in favour of ‘more important’ work. But skipping regular 1:1s is a missed opportunity—one that could be costing you productivity, engagement, and even go...

Passion, Purpose, and Profit – the true measure of Business Success

Profit Doesn’t Build a Great Business—But a Great Business Builds Profit. Most people treat profit like the ultimate goal—the big prize that proves a business is successful.But...... Profit isn’t the goal. It’s the result.It’s what happens when everything else in your business is working. If you’re focused purely on the numbers without looking at what’s driving them, you’re missing the bigger picture.When a business is driven by passion and guided by purpose, profit i...

Why I don't work with Startups

As a business advisor, my primary goal is to help businesses transition from a phase of hands-on management to one where they can operate efficiently with established systems and processes. Over the years, I've found my niche in working with established businesses that have a proven business model. These businesses are typically owned by sole shareholders or husband-and-wife teams and have a dedicated team of around four or more employees.You might wonder why I choose not to work with startups. ...

Understanding Profit: How Focusing on Inputs Can Boost Your Business's Bottom Line

Profit Isn’t Just a Number—It’s a Story!If you ask most business owners what profit is, they’ll tell you it’s what’s left over after expenses. Technically, they’re right. But profit is more than just a number on a financial statement—it’s a reflection of how well your business is running.It tells a story. A story about your pricing, your costs, your efficiency, and how well your team is working.And if you want to increase your profit, you don’t just “sell more” or “cut ...

Accountability breeds Success

Got Goals? Here’s Why They’re Not Enough.Setting goals is easy. Sticking to them? That’s the hard part.We all start with the best intentions—big plans, big dreams. But without accountability, those goals often get pushed to the side, lost in the daily grind.So, how do you stay on track? How do you turn your plans into action and make sure you actually follow through?Here are some simple but powerful ways to build accountability—both for yourself and those around you.🟠Build a Framewo...

Keeping Your Business Afloat: Practical Tips to Prevent Insolvency

No one starts a business expecting it to fail—but too many do!We all know that running a business comes with its fair share of challenges.Some businesses make it, and others don’t.The difference?It often comes down to money management—not just making sales, but actually keeping enough cash in the bank to pay the bills, cover wages, and plan for the future.So, what can you do to make sure your small business doesn’t end up struggling?Here are some practical, no-nonsense steps to help keep...

7 Tips on planning your business growth

When sales are increasing and new opportunities can be sensed, many a business owner’s thoughts turn to expansion. But unplanned expansion can be as detrimental to your business as no growth at all. Fast growth can destabilize a business giving its owners a false sense of well being while the additional revenues eat up more operating funds than expected. If expansion is on your agenda keep these things in mind.Watch Your OverheadsThe biggest danger in expansion is the erosion of a low overhead...

5 Challenges Couples Face When Running a Business

Running a business is challenging enough, but when you're doing it with your spouse, things can get even more complicated. While there are plenty of successful couples in business, there are also unique challenges that can arise.Here are five common challenges that NZ business owners who work with their spouses face.Blurring the lines between work and home life.Not "listening to understand" what your spouse is saying.Different management styles.Competing priorities within the workplace.Not resp...

Why Setting Goals Is Critical for NZ Business Owners

As a business owner, the daily grind can be overwhelming. Juggling myriad tasks, addressing immediate challenges, and ensuring your business runs smoothly leaves little time for contemplation. Amidst the chaos, the importance of setting clear and achievable goals often gets overlooked.Here are five reasons why setting goals is essential to your business's success.Goals help you stay focused - When you have clear goals, it's easier to stay focused on what's important. You're less likely to g...

Are you feeling a bit lost and confused in your business?

Are you feeling a bit lost and confused in your business lately? Like you're running in circles and getting nowhere fast? 🤔 Well, let me tell you, you're not alone! The key to getting back on track and achieving success is simple: CLARITY. Clarity is the magic ingredient that will help you focus, stay motivated and ultimately reach your goals. 🚀 So, how do you get clarity in your business? Here are five steps to help you. 1. Outline your 'Why': Why do you and your employees get out of bed ...

Do you know your Customers?

When was the last time that you had a conversation with them about their business? It is vitally important that you always know what is happening in your customers’ business. Why? Because through those conversations, you will get to know: If they are having issues with supply, staff or cashflowIf they are planning to grow in the next 5 years, and if so, what this looks likeIf they are planning to sell or exit in the next 5 yearsWhat factors outside their control are impacting their business �...

Be a leader; create followers

Currently there is a lot of discussion around the problem of finding talent. Everyone I talk to has vacancies within their business that they are struggling to fill. With every business in the same position, there is one thing that every business owner can start doing today to give them a point of difference and that is to create a team of followers. Followers will help your business by: 💥 Providing excellent customer service - Going the extra mile for you and your customers 💥 Increasing ...

Recession proof your business

The world of business is a fickle one. One minute you're on top of the world, and the next you can find yourself struggling to stay afloat. There is much talk at the moment of NZ heading into a recession, and whilst you may not believe this, you can’t ignore the fact that labour shortages, product shortages, cost of living increases and increased debt servicing costs are having negative effects on small businesses. Unfortunately, it's during times like these that many small businesses fall vic...

The value of independent advice and accountability

Independent advice and accountability allows you to see things differently and offers support for business challenges....

Reducing owner-reliance and bottlenecks

Reducing owner-reliance and bottlenecks can create a business that will be saleable in the future....

Peace of mind, a growing business, and improved lifestyle

Improving financial performance has led to peace of mind, a growing business and an improved lifestyle. ...

Free up time to focus on expansion

Implementing simple systems and processes reduces stress and frees up time to focus on business expansion....

How do I choose a Business Advisor?

As a business owner, having someone to go to for business advice can be invaluable. Someone who comes from the outside, whose perspective isn’t clouded by the day-to-day activities, can help you to see things differently, find clarity, break through any barriers and change for the better.Check out the following tips on how to choose a business advisor that will give you the confidence and knowledge to grow your business, profitably .1. Ask them for a free introductory meeting?It is important t...