Episodios

  • Embracing Ambition and Excellence with Simon Walker

    Embracing Ambition and Excellence with Simon Walker
    Jul 20 2024
    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 transformative progress over 50 years. Simon delves into the productivity challenges in New Zealand, emphasising the importance of value creation and the need for a robust economic identity. Simon also discusses his entrepreneurial journey, from founding Proposition Group to leading it solo after his business partner’s departure. He shares valuable lessons on opportunity cost, the importance of cash flow management, and the transition from a Chief Everything Officer to building and trusting a competent team. The conversation touches on leadership maturity, the necessity of storytelling in business, and the critical role of ambition and excellence in driving success. Simon advocates for a cultural shift towards embracing ambition and highlights the potential of New Zealand’s SME sector to significantly contribute to the economy with the right mindset and support. Wrapping up, Simon offers his vision for the future, focusing on inspiring business owners, fostering international collaborations, and emphasising the development of soft skills. His parting message is a call to action for New Zealand’s business community to strive for excellence and ambition in their pursuits. Takeaways:
    • The concept of ID 2070 and its implications for New Zealand's economic future.
    • Lessons in leadership and business growth from Simon's experience at Proposition Group.
    • The importance of value creation in productivity.
    • Encouraging ambition and excellence in New Zealand's SME sector.
    • The role of storytelling in inspiring and guiding business success.
    Tune in to hear Simon's insights and discover how you can apply these lessons to your business journey.
    Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn ⁠⁠Rob Bull⁠⁠⁠⁠David Altena⁠⁠
    Learn more about ⁠⁠Plexus Consulting⁠⁠ and the mission Rob is on to make NZ the best place in the world to do business Download David's NBR-featured report "Boosting Productivity in New Zealand SMEs" by joining the mailing list on the ⁠⁠Altena Solutions⁠⁠ website and start your journey to a more productive business today
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    38 m
  • Productivity reports: what do they tell you as an SMB owner

    Productivity reports: what do they tell you as an SMB owner
    Jul 2 2024
    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 discuss the disconnect between the findings and the real needs of SMEs, advocating for more straightforward, actionable insights that can genuinely benefit business owners. The conversation touches on the impact of regulation on innovation and productivity, arguing that much of the red tape cited as hindrances may be overstated. The episode concludes with a call for concise, practical, and directly useful reports for SME owners, emphasising the need for simplicity and actionable steps over complex jargon and unnecessary data.
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    44 m
  • Better SMB Pilot

    Better SMB Pilot
    Jun 13 2024
    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 transforming business operations. Meanwhile, Rob emphasizes the concept of ‘micro productivity’ an...
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    41 m