The Real Solutions Business Podcast

Join us to hear from employment lawyer Sally Cunneen about how employers can look to navigate the issue of an employee who might be medically incapable of performing their role alongside the dos and don'ts of such a scenario. Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. W...

In today's online world it can be a minefield for business owners when communicating their message or point of view to the world at large. We all know what happens when people go off message on social media! In this episode I am joined by Cameron Taylor from Timezone One. Cameron is a Senior Content Manager from a global creative communications agency with offices across the world. Cameron brings...

On this episode Brad McDonald is joined by Dave Armstrong from Newbrook Ventures to talk about the capital raising landscape for SMEs in New Zealand in 2022 and beyond.  Dave gives an outline of the various ways business owners might look to access funding streams outside of the banks in order to seize the opportunities that lie ahead. Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear...

Thoughts on what challenges/opportunities might lie ahead for businesses in 2023 with guest Dorian Crighton Director of Baker Tilly Staples Rodway. Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website , or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page . We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast b...

We live in an increasingly visual world. Incredibly, almost everyone has a camera in their pocket and the ability to broadcast their message to the world.  Even though we have more ways of communicating with people than ever before, most of us still struggle to 'put ourselves out there' or to speak publically in-front of an audience: Two activities business owners and professionals are freque...

We're no strangers to natural disasters in New Zealand. From earthquakes to volcanic eruptions, floods and forest fires, it's not uncommon natural disasters to regularly disrupt our lives and livlihoods.  Unlike the earthquake that occurred on February 22nd 2011 which pretty much came out of the blue, the extreme rain and flooding across Canterbury that happened May 2021 was predicted and exp...

It's predicted that mental illness will be one of the biggest facing businesses by 2030. It's more important than ever to create a workplace culture that looks after your employees, so they can continue to look after your business. Brad McDonald is joined again by Chris White. He's a former RAF engineer who now helps organisations develop corporate wellbeing programmes as part of ph360. They cover...

We spend so much of our lives at work. Could we or should we feel happy about going to work, or is it just a necessary evil? A means to an end. Brad McDonald is joined by Chris White. He's a former RAF engineer who now helps organisations develop corporate wellbeing programmes as part of ph360. In this episode, Chris shares some of his life lessons learned within the RAF and the health and wellbei...

Everyone is after the 'secrets of success.' What business owner doesn't want to increase their bottom line and become more successful? But short of starting the next Enron, how do you do it (legally)? Brad McDonald is joined by Ron Boskell. He's a former General Manager of Hannah's Shoes, plus a General Manager and CEO of the Postie Plus Group in New Zealand. Both are major retail chains employing...

Everyone is after the 'secrets of success.' What business owner doesn't want to increase their bottom line and become more successful? But short of starting the next Enron, how do you do it (legally)? Brad McDonald is joined once again by Dorian Crighton , now of Baker Tilly Staples Rodway to cover six proven ways to grow your business and become more profitable. Including: - How to get more custo...

Cyber attacks are on the rise. It's not a case of 'if' your business might be targeted, but 'when'. Recently, both the New Zealand Stock Exchange and the Waikato District Health Board have fallen victim to coordinated cyber attacks. If those 'big guys' can be taken town, what hope do regular Kiwi SME's have? Owner and operator at Computer Clinic , Patrick Moran joins Brad McDonald again on the pod...

It's a big story in the media right now, and we're sure to see it play out in front of the Employment Relations Authority in future. Can you be fired for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine? Some employees working at New Zealand's borders, managed isolation or quarantine facilities are being redeployed and terminated for not being vaccinated. But is it legal? To discuss this weighty issue, Brad McD...

All businesses need an "IT guy." From businesses with just one laptop, to complicated POS systems, or servers connecting employees around the country, technology and the internet are key for keeping all businesses running. Owner and operator at Computer Clinic , Patrick Moran joins Brad McDonald on the podcast, to cover the importance of making sure your IT specialist knows what they are talking a...

What's the reason underpinning your business? While some companies look to give back to charity, others find ways to include an element of "social good" in the day-to-day running of their business. Owner of The Little Bone Broth Company , Alex Watson once again joins Brad McDonald on the podcast, to cover the importance of working for social good. The method and ethos underpinning what he does. In...

We've had a few conversations with people who have dealt with stress and struggles, but what do you do when everything is going well? Perhaps too well? Owner of The Little Bone Broth Company , Alex Watson joins Brad McDonald on the podcast, to cover his business' meteoric rise to success and the challenges that posed along the way. Including: - The importance of a marketing plan; - Staying small f...

Now you've checked in on how your business is performing, what can you do to make it better? Chartered Accountant Louise Neville, director of Accounting Solutions Ltd joins Brad McDonald on the podcast again, to build on their ideas from the previous episode. Including: - How to turn a strategic plan into an actionable business plan; - The benefits of being accountable to a mentor; plus -  Si...

How is your business really doing? How often do you check? How often SHOULD you check? Chartered Accountant Louise Neville, director of Accounting Solutions Ltd joins Brad McDonald on the podcast to figure out how your business is performing exactly. Including: - Business performance versus position; - The key performance indicators you should be tracking; plus - Simple changes you can make to hel...

It's a crowded marketplace out there. Whatever industry you're in, it's almost guaranteed there will be others offering the same products, services or experiences as you. So how can you stand out from the crowd? Marketing consultant Cameron Taylor, director of Inform PR joins Brad McDonald on the podcast again to reflect on the 'purple cow' phenomenon and how businesses can stand out. Including: -...

Business is going well. There is too much work for you to handle. You need to hire someone to help out. It can be a struggle finding the right person for your business. How do you get it right? Equally as important, how can you avoid getting it wrong? Partner at Godfreys Law, Brad McDonald discusses with Associate Andy Ogilvie the potential pitfalls of the hiring process, including: - What to do i...

This podcast started to provide real advice and experience to business owners and busy professionals. But we haven't asked the obvious question: Why even run your own business? Partner at Godfreys Law, Brad McDonald discusses with Solicitor and business owner James Hobcraft the highs, lows and responsibilities of being a business owner, including: - What to do before going into business for yourse...

Merry Christmas! Is Christmas a time for you to wind down and take a break, or is it your busy season where you're hoping to make up for some losses? Whatever stage you're at, hopefully you get some time these holidays to reflect on the year, and plan for the year ahead. For our final episode for 2020, Cameron Taylor, director of Inform PR joins Brad McDonald on the podcast again to reflect on the...

WARNING: This episode deals with issues around mental illness and suicide. Resilience. It's a word we're very familiar with in Canterbury, New Zealand. Resilience is the capacity to cope with and recover from a crisis. As business owners and busy professionals, we face challenges every day. It's true that some days are more challenging than others.  Blair Ashdowne, director of Heat Pumps NOW...

The logical next topic, following on from our episode about how to manage your cash flow. If you're sending out invoices and 'hoping' that people will pay you by the due date, it's time you take 'hope' out of the equation and bring a little certainty in. Partner at Godfreys Law, Brad McDonald discusses with credit manager, debt collector, and Partner at Undercontrol Credit Management Jeannette Kwa...

Does this sound familiar? You know that you're making money, but still wonder where it's gone by the time bills and tax are due to be paid? If you're working hard but just don't seem to have money in the bank, you could probably use some help improving your cash flow. Partner at Godfreys Law, Brad McDonald discusses with Chartered Accountant and Principal and PKF Goldsmith Fox, Dorian Crighton how...

Starting a business can be risky. Before starting out on your venture, you want to make sure that important assets like your family home are protected. That way, if business doesn't go so well, creditors can't take away what is most important to you. Partner at Godfreys Law, Brad McDonald discusses with fellow Partner Philip Sewell the importance of Trusts and making sure your assets are protected...