The SME Stream

As business owners, you know how hard it is keeping up with your business, let alone the news. Join Wilhelmina Shrimpton each week as she gives you a rundown of the biggest stories that could impact on your business, so you can make informed decisions with expert advice. This week,  GDP is on the up, but could that mean the OCR holds steady? Sick leave looks set for an overhaul, and the...

Tracy Sheen isn’t your typical artificial intelligence guru. “I am looking forward to stirring the AI pot with you, Peter,” Sheen told me at the start of an entertaining discussion on this week’s episode of The Business of Tech.  The award-winning Australian business coach and technology strategist has always been passionate about making technology accessible. Her late...

 [VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] Valar Atomics plans to build tens of thousands of small modular nuclear reactors to power data centres and other industrial use cases across the world. This episode takes you inside its Los Angeles factory and atop its first prototype named 'Ward Zero'. The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial ...

This week, CEO of The Icehouse Olivia Blaylock shares her best and worst money stories with Liam Dann - from her start in the business world, her experience running her own company, what more can be done to help entrepreneurs and business owners in NZ, and how dealing with lockdowns, the GFC and cancer in her family helped her learn what's important in running a business.  The podcasts in the...

The Finance Minister's revealed top-level legal advice was sought over the Reserve Bank's battle with Treasury for funding.  The bank received less money than it anticipated in the latest funding round - which prompted Adrian Orr to quit as Governor.  NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacks the issue further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream con...

New Zealand businesses believe things are looking up, with optimism at a high.  The 2degrees 2025 Shaping Business Study reveals 45% of surveyed business leaders are more optimistic about the year ahead – up on last year's 34%.  46% of businesses also report they're more productive than last year.   Business Central CEO Simon Arcus told Ryan Bridge things will probably still f...

Right, let's deal to the economy.  There were two interesting things yesterday.  The first was the food price inflation number showed it is not contained.  Why it is increasing beyond broad inflation is a many and varied thing, and the upside of these numbers is we can control them to a degree.  You don’t have to buy chocolate, given cocoa is through the roof.  You d...

It's being suggested small businesses are finding it tougher to get loans than big businesses, despite being a safer option.  The latest data shows the compound annual growth rate of bank lending has slowed from 6% to 1.5% since 2013.  Small Business NZ Founder Phil Wicks told Mike Hosking most banks are making business hard.  He says lending to someone with skin in the game should...

I'll tell you what I'm gonna be watching with some interest in the next few weeks -  that employment bill that ACT has just introduced to Parliament that would make it a lot easier for employers to fire staff who earn more than $180,000 because those high earning staff would not be able to take personal grievance cases for justified dismissal. Now, I say high earning with air quotes, because...

If growth is the game we're in then the Reserve Bank should keep cutting interest rates.  The problem is growth is not the game they're in. They're in the business of taming inflation, and that's about it.  The Government ditched the dual mandate —introduced by the last lot— that saw Adrian and Co. also focus on keeping people in jobs. Maximum sustainable employment.  Th...

After a decade in a career, it’s perhaps not unusual that you’d consider doing something different, but some career changes can be bolder than others.   Morgan Penn is a somatic sexologist, and co-host of the multi-award-winning juggernaut of a podcast, Sex. Life.   But before that, she spent 15 years in the media – so this was not just your regular run-of-the-mill...

After a decade in a career, it’s perhaps not unusual that you’d consider doing something different, but some career changes can be bolder than others.   Morgan Penn is a somatic sexologist, and co-host of the multi-award-winning juggernaut of a podcast, Sex. Life.   But before that, she spent 15 years in the media – so this was not just your regular run-of-the-mill...

 [VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] I’m in Texas to visit Amazon Web Service’s computer chip design lab to see how it’s fueling AI compute power and chasing down Nvidia's dominance. The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not necessarily shared...

After a couple of dire years, a growing number of companies are listing on the relevant stock exchanges. An IPO is a key source of funding for companies, and investors appreciate this change in direction. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinio...

The GDP for Q1 is set to drop next week - and experts are feeling confident about the state of the economy. Predictions from economists claim figures will pick up this time round. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann speculates further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expres...

As business owners, you know how hard it is keeping up with your business, let alone the news. Join Wilhelmina Shrimpton each week as she gives you a rundown of the biggest stories that could impact on your business, so you can make informed decisions with expert advice. This week, Auckland homeowners are in despair over new CVs but are they really THAT important? The $13.5 million marketing...

As chief data officer for Australia and New Zealand at Publicis Groupe, Maurice Riley stands at the intersection of data, technology, and advertising strategy. On this week’s episode of The Business of Tech, Riley outlined the trends reshaping the advertising industry, highlighted the growing importance of the "middleverse" in customer journeys, especially during sluggish economic times, and...

This week, multi-talented entertainer Chris Parker shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann, from his first childhood job starring in a milk ad, to being unable to buy a drink on his first date with his future husband, and how he maintains his increasingly varied workload.  The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or prof...

There’s been plenty of buzz around AI in the last few years.  The most recent headlines have been highlighting its evils, such as the creation and lack of regulation around deepfake technology and fake pornography.  However, there are many positive applications for AI technology, particularly in business.  Justin Flitter, founder of NewZealand. AI, joined Kerre Woodham to disc...

As more people take the leap to owning their own businesses, many seem to be buying into already established brands.  Data suggests the business of franchising and owning established brands is booming, with around 30,000 franchise unites currently existing nationwide.  Association CEO Katrina King told Kerre Woodham they see franchising as being in business for yourself, but not by yours...

There are fears Finance Minister Nicola Willis is opening a can of worms by potentially allowing young farmers to dip into their KiwiSavers to buy farms. She explained she was seeking advice from the IRD on the matter, which is yet to be considered by Cabinet. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny weighed in on the debate. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream conta...

If you turned up to work yesterday, first day of a new week, with a bad case of Mondayitis, feeling like you're getting nowhere working for the man, thinking now is the time in your life when you should be the master of your own destiny, making your own decisions, getting the true reward for your labours, well join the queue.   Buyer demand for New Zealand businesses is on the up with large b...

Acting Reserve Bank Governor Christian Hawkesby left experts speculating about the future of interest rates following the recent OCR cut. More banks have slashed their rates after the recent announcement, but questions have been raised over future cuts. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham speculates further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only,...

Now is the time to sell your business.  According to ABC Business Sales, the number of buyers enquiring about purchases is up 30%.  Demand is currently outstripping supply, as new listings are down 10% on last year.  CEO Chris Small told Mike Hosking much of the interest is led by migrants, and hospitality, services, and construction are the three sectors people are primarily lookin...

Federated Farmers has launched a petition calling for KiwiSaver rules to be changed to help young farmers get their foot on the ladder. The petition’s launch has been timed to coincide with Fieldays, where thousands of farmers, industry leaders and politicians will gather at Mystery Creek. Federated Farmers' banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre says farming is very capital intensive and you...