The Better SMB Podcast

In this episode, David and Rob take stock of The Better SMB's podcast's progress halfway through the year. It’s an honest look at what’s gone well, what’s been challenging, and where they’re heading next in their mission to become the go-to voice for small and medium business owners in New Zealand. They share real numbers, like a 50% growth in Spotify followers and 65% increase in episode plays, a...

In this episode, David and Rob break down the themes from their latest NZ Manufacturer column, Own It: Leadership is a personal responsibility, not a title. This candid and practical conversation explores how business performance is inextricably linked to leadership quality and why many SMB owners unknowingly hold their teams back. They dive deep into the cultural, structural and behavioural shift...

David and Rob are joined by Dave Bunting , Managing Director of Architectural Glass Products in Cambridge. They dive deep into operational excellence and manufacturing leadership, exploring Dave’s key insights and perspectives on planning for and expecting excellence. Listen to the discussion centred on the power of a continuous improvement mindset, the importance of building a high-performing cul...

In this episode, we explore the hidden dangers of working at an unsustainable pace and why "being busy" is not the same as being productive. Our guest, executive coach Rachel King , shares powerful insights on the causes of burnout, why New Zealanders are particularly affected, and how leaders can shift towards sustainable, thriving work environments. Highlights:  How stress impacts health, engage...

We’re diving deep into intellectual property (IP) protection, exploring key insights and perspectives from Ben Cain , Partner at James & Wells and former marketing executive turned IP specialist. We discuss how small businesses can safeguard their innovations, build brand value, and create competitive barriers through strategic IP management. We cover:  Why early-stage IP strategy is mission-c...

In this episode, we explore the so-called “skills shortage” in New Zealand manufacturing. David and Rob unpack their NZ Manufacturer article, arguing that talent shortages are often a smokescreen for deeper issues in leadership, workplace culture, and internal systems. Rather than chasing unicorn hires, they challenge business leaders to rethink how they structure work, engage teams and build insp...

In this episode, we dive deep into the book "The E Myth Revisited" by Michael Gerber, exploring key insights about business roles and growth. Hosts Rob and David discuss the three critical personas in business: the technician, manager and entrepreneur. Highlights: "Most businesses are started by skilled technicians who get trapped doing technical work instead of growing the business." "Create a bu...

In this episode, hosts David Altena and Rob Bull dive into New Zealand’s longstanding productivity crisis and why waiting for government intervention won’t solve it. Instead, they argue that manufacturers must take the lead, turning challenges like labour shortages and rising costs into opportunities to innovate and improve efficiency. Drawing from their recent column in NZ Manufacturer magazine,...

In this episode, David hosts solo while Rob takes a well-earned break. He shares a recording of his recent talk at the Mahi Tahi Collective 2025 TechFest. This event brought together leading tech companies—including Optimation Group, Silicon Systems, Montage, Team Cloud, Xtracta, Zen Consulting, and SmartSpace—to explore how technology and collaboration can drive business performance and productiv...

In this first episode recorded in 2025, The Better SMB Podcast kicks off the year with a deep dive into goal setting and making meaningful business progress. Hosts David Altena and Rob Bull reflect on their journey over the past year—celebrating wins, acknowledging challenges, and sharing key lessons learned from unexpected opportunities and connections that have come from launching and growing th...

Anthony McMahon , Technology Strategist, Public Speaker and founder of Target State Consulting , joins David and Rob for this episode. Anthony shares his insights on how technology can empower SMBs to innovate, streamline operations, and stay competitive in an ever-evolving landscape. The discussion aims to demystify key technology concepts, such as the role of an enterprise architect, the differe...

In this episode of The Better SMB Podcast, hosts David Altena and Rob Bull break down the concept of innovation, distinguishing it from invention and explaining how SMBs can approach innovation purposefully rather than accidentally. They explore the challenges business owners face in prioritising innovation amidst day-to-day operations, the cultural barriers in New Zealand that stifle acknowledgme...

This episode dives deep into the implications of the recent US election and what it means for New Zealand’s SMBs, exploring key insights and strategies from hosts David Altena and Rob Bull. With tariffs on exports potentially rising under a Trump presidency, Rob frames this as a wake-up call rather than a crisis, emphasising how such challenges can spur innovation, productivity improvements, and s...

David and Rob dive into productivity misconceptions and political posturing around the term. They discuss recent government statements suggesting that increasing speed limits and returning to in-office work will improve productivity and argue that these superficial comments confuse the subject and ignore the real issues impacting workplace effectiveness. From the misuse of "productivity" in politi...

In this episode, hosts David Altena and Rob Bull sit down with Grant Johnson , founder and CEO of Rocketspark , to discuss the journey from a small startup to a successful SaaS business. Grant shares insights on how he and his team bootstrapped Rocketspark during the 2008 financial crisis, the evolution of their vision, and the importance of community over competition. Key lessons included staying...

In this episode, hosts David and Rob discuss the intricacies of productivity, focusing on the benefits of lean methodology and continuous improvement in both large corporations and small-to-medium businesses. Rob explains how lean was born out of necessity at Toyota and how these principles can be adapted to any business environment. The conversation reveals the cultural barriers that often hold b...

In this episode, hosts David Altena and Rob Bull sit down with Sean Wallace , Director of Product and Partnerships at Flowingly , to explore the intricacies of process improvement within local government. Sean, who has extensive experience in the sector, shares his insights on the challenges and opportunities councils face in managing their broad range of services. The conversation delves into the...

Co-host David takes a turn in the guest seat as Rob interviews him about his recent MBA research on productivity in New Zealand's SMB sector. David's work, which has received attention from the National Business Review , dives deep into the challenges and opportunities facing SMEs when it comes to enhancing productivity. David shares key findings from his research, highlighting the importance of s...

In this episode, hosts Rob and David sit down with Simon Walker, former CEO of Proposition Group. Simon shares his insights following his recent exit from the company after nine successful years. The discussion starts with Simon’s reflections on his journey and the intriguing concept of ID 2070. He elaborates on creating a long-term economic vision for New Zealand, inspired by Ireland’s transforma...

David and Rob dive into the intricacies of various productivity reports, including the Xero Small Business Insights Report, BNZ Manufacturing Snapshots, OECD Economic Survey on New Zealand, and the NZIER and ASB Business Productivity in New Zealand Report. They critique the relevance and utility of these reports for SMB owners, questioning the practicality of metrics and data presented. The hosts...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Better SMB Podcast, where we dive deep into what it takes to boost productivity and elevate performance for New Zealand’s small and medium-sized enterprises. In this pilot episode, hosts David Altena and Rob Bull share their insights and of experience in the tech and business improvement sectors. David discusses the pivotal role of innovation, in transformin...